Trump’s ambassador to Israel calls for Hamas’s destruction, backs radical shift in Middle East policy

Mike Huckabee, a key ally of Donald Trump, and the US nominee to be ambassador to Israel has called for Hamas’s eradication, claiming the Trump administration is ready to reshape the Middle East in ways he described as “biblical.”

“As long as Hamas exists, that is a threat to the Israelis,” Huckabee told Fox News. “They want the destruction of the Jewish state. One thing we know is that Hamas is not going to be able to exist. That’s just a done deal.”

His remarks come as Trump has repeatedly pushed for the mass forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza—an agenda human rights groups warn amounts to ethnic cleansing—while also suggesting the US should seize control of the territory.

“Let’s hope that people will listen to President Trump. He’s not thinking outside the box. He throws out the box and says let’s start with a blank slate,” Huckabee added.