U.S. Ambassador to Israel: Trump Does Not Want to Intervene in Israeli Elections

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Tuesday evening in a special interview with News 12 that President Donald Trump would prefer not to intervene in Israel’s elections. According to Huckabee, “Trump is sensitive to and aware that his intervention can be helpful, but it can also cause harm.”

Addressing the situation with Iran, Huckabee said that Trump’s conflicting statements, ranging from a desire for a deal to a return to the possibility of war, are also meant to confuse the enemy: “They are always guessing, but he does not leave them wondering.”

Asked whether another war with Iran is on the way, Huckabee replied: “I hope not. I think we all hope not. Anyone who has been through two wars with Iran over the past year and a half would say, ‘Been there, done that.’ Let’s hope that at some point, the Iranian regime will wake up to the fact that they are not going to obtain nuclear weapons. They can decide they will not have such weapons as a result of diplomacy or as a result of activities from which they do not benefit. They are weakened, dramatically weakened, economically and militarily, because of last year’s 12-day war and because of Operation ‘Mighty Wrath’ this year.”

“They are still not negotiating, and that is typical of them. They will always beat their chests and say things that make them look strong and good. But deep down, they know their economy is failing and their people are suffering. Does that change their behavior? That is what we do not know. Let’s hope it does. But if it does not, there may come a point when another military operation takes place.”

On the issue of the Gaza Strip, the U.S. ambassador said the White House “does not expect Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip before Hamas is disarmed. Netanyahu and Kushner see the situation eye to eye. I was in the room; I was part of every conversation. There was an agreement, and it was a good agreement. We all want to see it move forward.”