The Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Arkansas Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel.

President Donald Trump nominated Huckabee for the job on Nov. 12, 2024, days after being reelected. 

"Mike has been a great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years," Trump said in nominating Huckabee, also a former GOP presidential candidate. "He loves Israel and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East." 

The Senate confirmed Huckabee on a 53-46 vote, with Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the lone Democrat vote in support. 

Some Democrats have raised concerns about what they consider Huckabee's "extreme" positions in the past on Palestinians, who are led in the Gaza region by Hamas, with whom Israel is at war.

During his confirmation hearing, he sought to clarify Trump's comments about the U.S. taking over the Gaza Strip. 

Trump has, in part, argued the region, adjacent to Israel, is so war-torn that it has become unsafe. 

Huckabee said Trump has not called for a "forced displacement" of Palestinians from Gaza, "unless it is for their safety."

"If confirmed, it will be my responsibility to carry out the president’s priorities, not mine," Huckabee responded to Democratic Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley on such matters during the hearing.