Huckabee appears to express skepticism of Witkoff’s efforts in Gaza and Iran talks

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee appears to express skepticism with US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s efforts to broker a Gaza hostage deal and Iran nuclear deal.

Huckabee is asked during a Free Press podcast interview about Witkoff’s assertion earlier this year that Qatar is doing “God’s work” in mediating between Israel and Hamas.

“I hadn’t heard him say that. It would be very interesting if he did say that,” Huckabee responds.

“Steve and I have a different view of Qatar and how trustworthy they are,” he adds after the interviewer asserted that Witkoff had indeed made that comment.

The US ambassador then clarifies that both he and Witkoff are “playing for the same team, playing for the same president. I’m not going to criticize or condemn him.”

“He may be working in a way that ultimately is going to be helpful. Whether it’s with dealing with Hamas or dealing with Iran — I hope so,” Huckabee continues.

“But I have a lot of doubt about whether… negotiations with people who are inherently sponsoring evil things are going to be trustworthy to do the right thing, the best thing, and the good thing when it really comes down to it,” Huckabee adds.

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