Huckabee denies reports he was tapped as ambassador to Israel

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee denied reports that he had been chosen to be President-elect Donald Trump’s ambassador to Israel. 

“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,” he wrote on Twitter Friday evening.

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

The Daily Mail and the Jerusalem Post reported that Trump had chosen Huckabee for the position earlier Friday.

Huckabee had refused to comment during a television appearance on the possibility of serving in the Trump administration.

“I’m happy doing what I’m doing. My job is to listen to the president-elect. It’s his job to make decisions,” he said on CNN. “I did not campaign for him because I was needing work.”

Huckabee suspended his Oval Office bid in February and ultimately endorsed Trump, becoming a loyal ally of the eventual GOP nominee.

Trump has criticized the Obama administration’s treatment of Israel and vowed to improve relations with the U.S. ally. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted an offer last week to meet Trump in the U.S.

Trump unveiled a policy on Israel earlier this month, voicing skepticism of a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The Republican also pushed for the U.S. to extend its memorandum of understanding with Israel on its shared diplomatic and security interests.