We Have To Talk About "Our" Ambassador

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It really is time to talk about Mike Huckabee. As U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Huckabee has made remarks that not only strain credulity but also raise serious questions about his allegiance to American interests over those of Israel. His recent statements defending Israel's military actions in Gaza as more moral than those of the U.S. have sparked a firestorm of criticism, revealing what seems to be a troubling "Israel First" stance that undermines American values and insults our military.

Huckabee's comments, made during a speech at the "50 States, One Israel" conference in Jerusalem, were nothing short of astonishing. He claimed that Israel's measures to protect human life during its operations in Gaza surpass those taken by the U.S. in its own military engagements. "They have taken measures to protect human life the likes of which our own country does not do," Huckabee asserted, suggesting that Israel's pre-strike warnings and civilian evacuations are superior to anything the U.S. has ever done. He went further, dismissing accusations of genocide against Israel by stating, "If Israel is genocidal, they are really, really bad at it," a remark that goes directly against the International Court of Justice's findings.

This rhetoric is not just offensive; it is a betrayal of American principles and an insult to the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Huckabee's comparison implies that U.S. forces, which have historically gone to great lengths to minimize civilian casualties in conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan, are somehow less moral than the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). This is a slap in the face to every American soldier who has risked their life under the banner of protecting innocent civilians, often in far more complex and hostile environments than Gaza.

The criticism from notable figures has been swift and damning. Daniel McAdams, associated with the Ron Paul Institute, called Huckabee's statements a "national embarrassment and disaster." McAdams' reaction underscores the perception that Huckabee's defense of Israel at the expense of acknowledging U.S. military ethics is a disgrace to American diplomacy and a disservice to the nation he represents. His words reflect a growing concern that Huckabee's role as ambassador is more about advancing Israeli interests than protecting American ones.

Mike Cernovich, another vocal critic, pointed out the hypocrisy in Huckabee's stance. Cernovich noted that Huckabee, who has never served in the military himself, is quick to denigrate the moral standing of U.S. forces while praising the IDF. "Huckabee insults our service members by claiming Israel's military is more moral," Cernovich wrote, highlighting the audacity of a non-veteran ambassador making such a comparison. This criticism resonates with many who see Huckabee's remarks as not only uninformed but also deeply disrespectful to the sacrifices made by American troops.

Perhaps most damning is the reaction from Matt Gaetz, a U.S. Representative known for his America First rhetoric. Gaetz tweeted, "How many of the American lives we’ve lost in Middle East Wars would you trade for cherry tomatoes?" This sarcastic jab at the U.S.-Israel relationship, which Huckabee has likened to a marriage, cuts to the heart of the issue. Gaetz's comment suggests that the cost of American lives and treasure in support of Israeli policies far outweighs any tangible benefits, a sentiment that Huckabee's statements seem to ignore entirely. Gaetz's criticism aligns with a broader frustration among some Americans who feel that the U.S. is too entangled in Middle Eastern conflicts that do not serve its national interest.

Huckabee's attitude is emblematic of a disturbing trend in U.S. foreign policy, where the interests of a foreign nation are prioritized over those of the American people. His comparison of the U.S.-Israel alliance to his 51-year marriage, where criticism of Israel is akin to insulting his wife, further blurs the lines between national sovereignty and personal loyalty. This analogy is not just inappropriate; it is dangerous, as it suggests that any critique of Israeli actions is an attack on America itself, a notion that stifles debate and dissent.

To take things even further, Huckabee also called Israel a congressional district of the United States, obviously implying that the American taxpayer is required to support it. Such rhetoric doesn’t exactly scream “America First.” Especially not, coming from a United States ambassador. Obviously if he were a private citizen, this wouldn’t be an issue, but this guy is supposed to be representing our country.

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