In the closing weeks of the 2024 United States presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump reached out to Arab American and Muslim voters who were upset by the nation’s backing of Israel‘s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Trump made a stop in Dearborn, Michigan, often referred to as the “capital” of Arab America, where he addressed Lebanese Americans concerned about their relatives abroad.

“During my Administration, we experienced peace in the Middle East, and I assure you, we will achieve peace again very soon!” Trump stated on social media.

“I will address the issues created by [Vice President] Kamala Harris and [President] Joe Biden and put an end to the suffering and devastation in Lebanon. My goal is to restore genuine, lasting peace in the Middle East.”

However, after a significant electoral victory, Trump is set to return to the White House accompanied by some of the Republican Party’s most staunchly pro-Israel members.

While some observers speculated that Trump might adopt a less aggressive foreign policy, his selections for key administration and cabinet roles indicate that, regardless of any potential changes during his second term, a departure from Israel is unlikely.

Several of Trump’s nominees advocate for ongoing U.S. military and diplomatic support for Israel, aligning themselves with the perspectives and objectives of Israeli ultranationalists who favor the expansion of illegal settlements into Palestinian territories.

At the same time, the conflict in Gaza persists, resulting in significant civilian casualties, with reports indicating at least 43,799 fatalities since the onset of hostilities in October 2023. A recent assessment by a United Nations special committee characterized Israel’s actions in the Palestinian enclave as “consistent with genocide.”

What insights have Trump’s high-profile nominees shared regarding the current situation in the Middle East? Below are statements from a few of his selected candidates.

Marco Rubio, nominee for Secretary of State

Senator Marco Rubio from Florida, a seasoned advocate for foreign policy, has consistently supported Israel throughout his political journey. He is poised to become the Secretary of State, the highest diplomatic position in the U.S.

On February 26, 2016, during his presidential campaign, Rubio participated in a Republican primary debate in Houston, Texas, where he asserted his unwavering support for Israel, positioning himself in contrast to Trump.

Rubio expressed uncertainty about whether Donald is aware of the implications of his stance, suggesting it may not be his intention. He stated that the position taken is fundamentally anti-Israel, explaining that one cannot act as an impartial mediator in a conflict where one party consistently engages in bad faith actions.

He elaborated on the situation by highlighting that Palestinian education promotes violence against Jews from a young age, and noted that Hamas perpetuates ongoing attacks against Israel. Rubio concluded that, given the current dynamics among the Palestinians, a resolution between Israel and the Palestinians is unattainable.

In response to the attacks on October 7, 2023, Rubio called for a decisive military action against Hamas, asserting that Israel must aim for the complete dismantling of the group in Gaza, as no diplomatic or measured response would suffice. He acknowledged the severe consequences of such actions but emphasized that the cost of failing to eradicate Hamas would be even more devastating.

When confronted by antiwar activists from Code Pink in November 2024, Rubio firmly stated his position against a ceasefire in Gaza, urging for the total destruction of Hamas, which he described as brutal and responsible for heinous acts.

In August 2024, Rubio criticized the Biden administration’s decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. He argued that Israel has consistently pursued peace, lamenting that such efforts have been rebuffed by both the Palestinian Authority and groups like Hamas.

Israelis, who are justly residing in their ancestral homeland, are not the barrier to peace; rather, it is the Palestinians who pose that challenge.

Pete Hegseth, nominee for secretary of defense

A veteran of the US Army with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Pete Hegseth has been selected to lead the Department of Defense, one of the nation’s most significant military roles. If confirmed, he would hold a position of authority second only to the president regarding the armed forces.

September 14, 2016: In an interview with the Jewish Press, Hegseth shared that he was raised as a Baptist and did not meet a Jewish individual until he reached college. He criticized higher education for fostering what he termed the “seeds of anti-Semitism.”

“We must be more open to discussing Israel publicly among those who view it as an abstraction and do not fully grasp the existential threats it faces,” Hegseth stated. “This is not merely a mystical land that can be overlooked. It represents the narrative of God’s chosen people.”
February 2018: While speaking at the Arutz Sheva Conference in Jerusalem, Hegseth committed to combating the misinformation surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict.

He also seemed to support the idea of demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site of great significance in Islam, to pave the way for a “Third Temple,” a long-held aspiration of certain Israeli ultranationalists and evangelical Christians.

“If you visit the area today, it becomes clear that the concept of a two-state solution is unfeasible. There is only one state,” Hegseth asserted. He went on to recount his experience at the Al-Aqsa site, also known as the Temple Mount: “Standing there, one cannot help but witness the miracle before them. It led me to reflect on another miracle that I hope is not too distant. The years 1917, 1948, and 1967 were all miraculous. The year 2017, with the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital, was also a miracle. There is no reason to believe that the miracle of re-establishing the temple on the Temple Mount is unattainable.”

In May 2018, during a discussion on the television show Fox & Friends, Hegseth seemed to dismiss the Palestinian casualties resulting from the Great March of Return protests. When asked about the possibility that Israeli snipers targeted “innocent people,” including children, Hegseth nonchalantly responded with a shrug and a “Meh.”

He stated, “The innocent blood is on the hands of the terrorist who put the kid out to charge a fence with no prospect of crossing that border.”

Mike Huckabee, nominated as the US ambassador to Israel

Mike Huckabee, who has been nominated as the US ambassador to Israel, is a former governor of Arkansas and has previously run for president in 2008 and 2016 without success. As an evangelical Christian, he is a staunch advocate for the concept of “Greater Israel,” which often refers to the proposed annexation of Palestinian territories by Israel.

In early 2008, while campaigning for the presidency, Huckabee claimed that the identity of Palestinians was fabricated. He remarked, “I have to be careful saying this because people will really get offended. There is really no such thing as a Palestinian. You have Arabs and Persians, and within that, there’s a lot of complexity. There’s really no such thing. That’s been a political tool to try to force land away from Israel.”

On May 31, 2015, at an Israel Day concert, Huckabee reminisced about his inaugural visit to Israel in 1973. He asserted that he was Israel’s most steadfast ally in the United States and dismissed Palestinian claims regarding Jerusalem.

“There are those who believe that the key to achieving peace in the Middle East lies in partitioning Jerusalem and relinquishing more land. I propose that the only path to peace is to firmly establish that Jerusalem will remain undivided and under Israeli control.”
“We can never accept the idea of dividing Israel or splitting Jerusalem. Let us be unequivocal: The borders of Israel are determined not by the United Nations, but by divine authority.”

On August 18, 2015, during a press conference at the unauthorized Israeli settlement of Shiloh, Huckabee expressed support for a vision of Israel that encompassed the occupied West Bank, referring to it by its biblical names, “Judea and Samaria.” He also criticized an agreement aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“I aim to express solidarity with a nation that embodies the American spirit and to stand with the Israeli people in their strong opposition to any agreement with Iran.”
“I believe that if one is to visit Israel, it is essential to experience all of Israel, which must include Judea and Samaria.”

On February 29, 2024, Huckabee expressed his deep emotional response to the October 7 attacks on southern Israel during a speech to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. He characterized Israel’s settlements in the West Bank as a realization of biblical prophecy.

“This is pure evil. The most profound evil present in our world today was witnessed on October 7. For anyone to demonstrate support for such uncivilized and brutal actions, whether in America or Europe, signifies a troubling darkness in our society.”

“When the term ‘occupy’ is mentioned, I acknowledge that Israel occupies the land. However, it is an occupation of territory that God bestowed upon them 3,500 years ago. It is their rightful land, with the title deed granted by God to Abraham and his descendants. Therefore, when discussing occupation, I refrain from using the term West Bank, as I find it offensive. We are referring to Judea and Samaria.”

“While the Nazis committed horrific acts, they did not broadcast their atrocities on social media or seek to glorify their actions to the world, which, in my view, makes the heinous acts perpetrated by Hamas even more reprehensible.”

Elise Stefanik, nominee for ambassador to the UN

Elise Stefanik, nominated for the position of ambassador to the United Nations, is a congresswoman representing New York. She gained significant attention last year during congressional hearings focused on anti-Semitism in higher education, where her direct questioning of university officials led to multiple resignations.

Critics argue that her actions also resulted in severe crackdowns on pro-Palestine student protests, as she equated protest phrases such as “From the River to the Sea” with incitements to anti-Semitic violence.

On May 19, 2024, Stefanik addressed the Israeli Knesset, characterizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a moral imperative. She advocated for the cessation of U.S. funding to UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

“What we are witnessing today is a narrative of good versus evil, civilization against barbarism, humanity against depravity,” she stated. “For years, I have been a staunch advocate and ally to President Trump in his groundbreaking support for Israeli sovereignty and security, including his astute decision to expose UNRWA as a center of anti-Semitism and to cut off all U.S. financial support.”

On September 23, 2024, in response to a UN General Assembly resolution urging Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories, Stefanik issued a statement denouncing the vote.

“Last week, the United Nations passed an appalling antisemitic resolution demanding that Israel capitulate to terrorists who aim to annihilate both Israel and America.”

Mike Waltz, nominated for the position of national security adviser

Representative Mike Waltz from Florida, a member of the House of Representatives and a former Green Beret, has shown unwavering support for Israel. He is currently a member of the House Armed Services Committee and has previously criticized the Biden administration for not providing adequate support to Israel.

On August 16, 2019, during an appearance on Fox News, Waltz backed Israel’s decision to deny entry to his congressional colleagues Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar due to their backing of the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, was later offered a “humanitarian” visit, which she declined.

Waltz stated, “If they want to do a separate trip, then still hear all sides. Hear the Israeli government. Hear from the Israeli settlers. Hear from farmers, like I said, who are under rocket attack. And also go to the Palestinian Authority. But that wasn’t their agenda. Their agenda was only to hear one side.” Regarding the BDS movement, he remarked, “It’s directed directly at Jerusalem. It’s directed directly because they’re Jews. And it’s anti-Semitic. And I think that is completely reasonable for the Israeli government to say, ‘Hey, you don’t want to hear our point of view. Access denied.’”

On August 17, 2024, in another Fox News interview, Waltz noted that during Trump’s presidency, the Iranian economy was “broke” and “in shambles” due to severe sanctions.

He also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisive actions in managing the threat posed by Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“I think it’s Bibi that is deterring Iran right now, because just a few weeks ago, they had a house in the middle of Tehran, under the protective umbrella of the IRGC during a presidential inauguration, go boom and take out Hamas’s political leader [Ismail] Haniyeh.”

On October 25, 2024, in response to Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Waltz remarked on social media that Israel had refrained from attacking oil fields and nuclear sites.

“This could be Israel’s final opportunity to weaken Iran’s nuclear ambitions and disrupt their funding. Did Biden and Harris once again urge Israel to take a less aggressive approach?”