Huckabee denies report Trump chose him as ambassador to Israel

Former Arkansas governor refutes report citing source who said he would transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

NOVEMBER 19, 2016 11:33

Updated: NOVEMBER 19, 2016 11:40

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (L) meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv (photo credit: REUTERS) — Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (L) meets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on Friday night denied that he has been asked to serve as America's ambassador to Israel by President-elect Donald Trump.

"Media buzz that I was named Amb to Israel is NOT true. Was never discussed with PE Trump," Huckabee tweeted in response to a Daily Mail report citing a presidential transition official who said that Huckabee would be the United States' top diplomat in Israel during the Trump administration.

The Daily Mail had initially cited the source as saying Huckabee's first order of business as ambassador would be transferring the US embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Media buzz that I was named Amb to Israel is NOT true. Was never discussed with PE Trump; slot probably not picked until State Dept in place
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 18, 2016

Huckabee met with the president-elect Friday at Trump Tower in New York. When asked by reporters why he was meeting Trump, Huckabee said "I'm just here for the Starbucks," the Daily Mail reported.

He further stated that "the only person giving out jobs in this building is President-elect Donald Trump, not me."

Israel's ambassador to the US Ron Dermer had reportedly met with several ambassadorial candidates on Thursday and offered Trump his advice for the post, according to the Daily Mail.