Rubio and Waltz Security Line Shows Hardline Stance Against Iran
Stefanik and Huckabee Next Ambassadors Also Pro-Israel
Wild Card Is Musk, Connected to Netanyahu
Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, is being evaluated as forming the most pro-Israel administration in American history.
The American political media outlet The Hill reported on the 17th (local time) that "Trump is assembling the most pro-Israel team in history, more so than any other administration," and predicted, "The Trump administration, supported by a Republican-controlled Congress, will provide Israel with much freer and less restricted support than the Biden administration."
Currently, Senator Marco Rubio, nominated as the next Secretary of State, and Representative Mike Waltz, selected as the National Security Advisor, are regarded as key figures leading Trump’s second term pro-Israel moves. The Hill stated, "Both have maintained a hardline stance against Iran and its proxy forces such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and have supported Israel," anticipating that they will contribute to expanding Trump’s Middle East peace plan.
Previously, during his first term in 2020, Trump promoted normalization of relations between Israel and Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Abraham Accords. After inauguration, it is expected that he will continue the efforts to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which President Joe Biden is also pursuing. However, negotiations are expected to be difficult as Saudi Arabia currently demands not only official U.S. security guarantees but also recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Ellie Stepanek, appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, is also considered a figure who will publicly promote Trump’s pro-Israel stance. Trump has previously criticized the UN as hostile to Israel through former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and withdrew from various international organizations supporting Palestinian refugees. The Hill evaluated, "Stepanek notably interrogated three Ivy League university presidents last year regarding the spread of anti-Semitism on campuses, leading to the resignation of two," and the Israeli mission to the UN welcomed Stepanek’s nomination as the next ambassador.
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and a "Christian conservative," chosen as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, is another indispensable figure. The Hill noted, "Huckabee has supported Jewish religious claims to the West Bank and rejected Palestinian territorial claims, backing Israeli annexation," and pointed out, "If Huckabee is confirmed, he is likely to help change U.S. policy to recognize Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law."
However, there are also many voices of concern. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, "Huckabee envisions Israel controlling all territory from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, aligning with the views of the Netanyahu cabinet and Israeli far-right forces," warning that Huckabee’s confirmation could lead to instability and violence in the Middle East.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who has recently risen as a close confidant of Trump and exerted influence over cabinet appointments and diplomacy, was also identified as a key figure in the pro-Israel administration. In November last year, Musk agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to provide Starlink service in the Gaza Strip while touring war-affected areas, and this year attended Netanyahu’s speech to the U.S. Congress. However, Musk’s past controversies involving allegations of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories are considered a variable factor.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
