U.S. Ambassador: No Israeli Approval for Houthi Talks; Trump's Palestinian State Recognition Dismissed as 'Nonsense'

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has clarified that the United States does not require Israeli approval to negotiate with Yemen's Houthis. He emphasized that any U.S. military action against the Houthis would be contingent on threats to the 700,000 American citizens living in Israel, not necessarily Israel itself. Huckabee's statements come in the context of discussions with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, indicating that the U.S. response to Houthi attacks on Israel would be based on the safety of American citizens. Amidst these developments, reports have surfaced suggesting that President Trump might announce U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state during an upcoming Gulf-US summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to a Gulf diplomatic source cited by The Jerusalem Post, Trump's declaration would establish a Palestinian state without the involvement of Hamas. This potential announcement has sparked speculation about its impact on Middle Eastern power dynamics and the possibility of more countries joining the Abraham Accords. However, Huckabee has dismissed these reports as 'nonsense,' asserting that the relationship between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains strong. He criticized the media for spreading unverified rumors about tensions between the two leaders, emphasizing that Israel has no better friend than Trump.