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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee

will be nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. NPR's Stephen

Fowler reports Huckabee is a longtime supporter of Israel and a critic of the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza.

Mike Huckabee's previously spoken out against efforts to negotiate a ceasefire deal,

arguing the only solution was the defeat or surrender of Hamas.

Huckabee was a longtime Baptist minister before running for political office and regularly leads,

quote, the Israel

experience trips, where paid tour groups visit sites with biblical and historical significance,

like the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Getsemin, and the old city of Jerusalem.

In terms of present-day politics in the region, Huckabee has been a supporter of Israeli settlement

expansion in the West Bank. On the campaign trail,

Donald Trump vowed to be Israel's quote, protector if elected. Stephen Fowler, NPR News.

The Biden administration says Israel is taking steps to get more aid into Gaza, so for now,

the U.S. will not withhold U.S. military aid. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports the U.S. had given Israel a 30-day period to improve the situation.

According to a memorandum previously signed by President Biden, the U.S. cannot give arms to a country that is blocking U.S. humanitarian assistance.

A month ago, the Secretaries of State

and Defense sent a letter to their Israeli counterparts, spelling out the steps they wanted Israel

to take in Gaza to avoid a U.S. military aid cutoff. State Department spokesman Vedant

Patel says there has been some progress. We at this time have not made an assessment that the Israelis

...