Palestinian Orthodox Archbishop slams pro-Israel Huckabee's US ambassador nomination

Palestinian Greek Orthodox Archbishop Atallah Hanna condemned on Saturday the appointment of Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel, calling it "regrettable" that such staunchly pro-Israel individuals hold leadership positions in the country.

The renowned Palestinian Christian figure said that it is "unfortunate" that Huckabee and other Trump appointees are affiliated with Christianity, as the religion "is entirely innocent" of their positions, rhetoric, and actions.

Huckabee, a pastor with Evangelical views, has a track record of pro-Israel beliefs. The soon-to-be ambassador has previously denied Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, and has gone as far as saying that "there are no Israeli settlements" in the Palestinian territory. Huckabee has also said: "There is no such thing as the West Bank – it is Judea and Samaria", in refence to the biblical term used by the Israeli government and the Israeli far-right.

In a scathing statement on Facebook, the Archbishop said: "[Huckabee] alleges that there is no such thing as Palestine or a Palestinian people, as though he has not read history — or refuses to acknowledge it —that Palestine exists, and its people exist, whether he likes it or not."

Huckabee, described by Trump as someone who "loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him", was named on Tuesday, as the Republican began finalising his cabinet for his incoming administration in January.

Hanna, the Archbishop for Sebastia, said that if Huckabee and other pro-Israeli Trump-affiliates were "truly Christian," they would call for an end to the deadly wars in Gaza and Lebanon and "advocate for a just solution to the Palestinian issue".

"Palestine is mentioned in the Bible, and instead of these racists denying the existence of Palestinians, they should work towards resolving the Palestinian issue, which is the key to peace in our region and the world," he added.

The Archbishop also slammed the concept of Christian Zionism, saying that the Greek Orthodox Church "does not recognise" the term, calling it "alien" to Christian values.

The concept is a common belief among sections of Evangelical and Protestant Christians – specifically in the United States – that the return of Jews to the Holy Land and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 occurred in accordance with Biblical prophecy, and will thereby make way for the second coming of Jesus.

The concept has been criticised by Palestinian Christians over the decades for its use in justifying the occupation of Palestinian territories and the erasure of Palestinians through war and displacement.

Archbishop Hanna has long advocated for Palestinian freedom and condemned Israel's occupation of the West Bank, the ongoing war in Gaza and Israel's discriminatory policies against Palestinian Christians. He was previously arrested by Israeli authorities during the Second Intifada for refusing to condemn Palestinian activities in that period.