‘Absurd and provocative’: Huckabee faces firestorm for Israel border stance | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia Criticize U.S. Ambassador’s Remarks on Israel’s Territorial Claims
The United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has faced significant backlash from Arab nations following his recent comments suggesting that Israel has the right to expand its territory across a significant portion of the Middle East.
During an interview with U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson that aired on Friday, Huckabee was queried about Israel’s geographic boundaries and the biblical promises associated with the land. In response, he stated, “It would be fine if they took it all,” implying that Israel could claim territory that includes modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia.
Huckabee later sought to clarify his remarks, describing them as “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement.” He emphasized that Israel is not actively seeking to expand its territory but does have a right to security over the lands it currently occupies.
His comments quickly drew condemnation from several neighboring countries and organizations. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the remarks as a “blatant violation” of international law, asserting that “Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands.”
Jordan’s foreign ministry referred to the comments as “absurd and provocative,” accusing Huckabee of infringing on regional sovereignty. The Saudi foreign ministry condemned the remarks as “extremist rhetoric,” urging the U.S. Department of State to clarify Huckabee’s position.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States also issued statements denouncing Huckabee’s comments, labeling them as extremist and provocative; they warned that such statements could inflame religious and national sentiments.
Huckabee, who was nominated as ambassador in 2024 by former President Donald Trump, has long opposed the notion of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, and he has previously questioned Palestinian identity. In 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and urged an immediate end to it.
The U.S. is notably the only country that recognizes Israel’s claimed sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a region Israel annexed in 1981. Following the 2024 conflict with Hezbollah, Israel established military outposts in several locations within Lebanon, and some Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have openly supported the vision of a “Greater Israel” with expanded borders.
