Jerusalem — The United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, sparked controversy after saying it would be “fine” if Israel took control of a large portion of the Middle East during a recent interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
Huckabee Responds to Biblical Land Question
During the interview, Carlson referenced a passage from the Old Testament suggesting that land spanning parts of Egypt, Syria, and Iraq was divinely promised to the Jewish people. Carlson claimed the biblical boundaries would encompass “basically the entire Middle East” and directly asked Huckabee whether Israel has the right to that land.
Huckabee initially responded cautiously, saying, “Not sure we’d go that far. It would be a big piece of land.”
When pressed again, Huckabee replied, “It would be fine if they took it all,” before clarifying, “I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here today.”
Comments on Jordan, Syria, and Iraq
Carlson followed up by asking whether it would be acceptable for Israel to take over Jordan.
Huckabee responded that Israel is not attempting to take over Jordan, Syria, Iraq, or other neighboring countries. Instead, he emphasized that Israel’s focus is on protecting its citizens.
“They’re not asking to go back to take all of that,” Huckabee said. “But they are asking to at least take the land that they now occupy, they now live in, they now own legitimately, and it is a safe haven for them.”
Huckabee’s Past Support for West Bank Annexation
Huckabee has previously expressed support for Israeli sovereignty over disputed territories.
In November 2024, shortly after then-President-elect Donald Trump announced Huckabee as his pick for ambassador to Israel, Huckabee voiced support for Israel’s annexation of the West Bank in remarks to Israel’s Army Radio.
He stated that while he would carry out presidential policy, Trump had demonstrated strong support for Israeli sovereignty during his first term.
However, in September 2024, Trump publicly said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, stating, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen.”
Break from Traditional US Foreign Policy?
Huckabee’s suggestion that Israeli sovereignty could extend broadly across the Middle East represents a significant shift from longstanding American foreign policy positions.
Such remarks also appear to go beyond what many figures in Israel’s far-right political circles have publicly advocated.
Palestinian Foreign Ministry Responds
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry criticized Huckabee’s comments, saying they “contradict religious and historical facts, international law, and the position expressed by US President Donald Trump rejecting the annexation of the West Bank.”
CNN Report.
