Mike Huckabee, Trump's pick for Israel ambassador, says hostages 'must be released'

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), President-elect Trump's pick for ambassador to Israel, criticized the U.S. on Friday for pressuring Israel instead of holding Hamas accountable.

“We have seven American hostages being held by Hamas, yet the U.S. is putting more pressure on Israel than on the Iranian-funded terrorists who butchered Jewish civilians. I can't comprehend,” Huckabee said Friday on NewsNation’s "On Balance," adding that protests supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas make "no sense."

HIs comments come just days after Trump tapped him to serve in the major diplomatic role that will take on added importance amid the heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Huckabee told NewsNation's Leland Vittert his number one priority is securing the hostages' release.

"Those hostages must be released and accounted for, and then, and only then should Israel or anyone else even entertain (the idea of a cease-fire)," Huckabee said in the interview.

On "Morning in America," the Arkansas Republican said the job is all about carrying out responsibilities assigned by the president, not to make policy.

"An ambassador doesn't get to make policy. He's there to represent the policy," Huckabee said. "An ambassador serves at the pleasure of the president."

Huckabee's nomination comes during the 13-months-long Israel-Hamas war.

Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed 44,056 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Parts of Gaza have been decimated and more than 2.3 million people driven from their homes.

The war began Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

The International Criminal Court also issued arrest warrants earlier this week for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas official.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.