US envoy suggests it would be ‘fine’ if Israel expands across Middle East | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Mike Huckabee Comments on Israel’s Territorial Claims in Interview
Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, has indicated that he would not oppose Israel expanding its borders to encompass most of the Middle East, citing the Jewish people’s right to the land as articulated in biblical texts.
In an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson broadcast on Friday, Huckabee discussed the historical and religious foundations for Israel’s boundaries. Carlson referenced biblical passages promising land to Abraham’s descendants, a claim that includes territories stretching between the Euphrates River in Iraq and the Nile River in Egypt. These boundaries would cover contemporary Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia.
“It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee stated, echoing sentiments that have drawn attention since his appointment by former President Donald Trump last year. When Carlson questioned Huckabee’s remarks, asking if he truly endorsed such expansion, Huckabee clarified that Israelis are not actively seeking to take over these lands.
Later in the interview, Huckabee sought to amend his earlier statements, describing them as somewhat of a “hyperbolic statement,” yet he maintained that the possibility of territorial expansion could be justified if Israel were attacked and subsequently won a conflict.
The U.S. Department of State has not commented on whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares Huckabee’s views on this issue.
International law, established after World War II, emphasizes territorial integrity and prohibits the acquisition of land by force. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and must end. However, Israel has not clearly defined its borders and continues to occupy the Golan Heights in Syria, a territory it annexed in 1981, with the U.S. being the only nation that recognizes Israeli sovereignty over that area.
In the wake of recent conflicts, including a war with Hezbollah in 2024, Israel has also established military positions within Lebanon. Some Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have openly supported the concept of a “Greater Israel” with expanded borders. In 2023, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faced widespread backlash for displaying a map that included Palestinian territories and parts of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan as integral to Israel.
During the interview, Huckabee argued that Israel’s right to exist is consistent with international law, while simultaneously criticizing international legal institutions for their opposition to perceived Israeli abuses. He expressed gratitude towards President Trump and Secretary Rubio for their efforts to diminish the influence of organizations such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, which he labeled as “rogue organizations.”
Despite his stated devotion to Israel, Huckabee has faced scrutiny for not advocating more strongly for the rights of U.S. citizens affected by Israeli military actions. He also encountered controversy when he met with Jonathan Pollard, a convicted spy who leaked U.S. intelligence to Israel during the Cold War. Although Huckabee distanced himself from Pollard’s views, he acknowledged that the meeting at the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem required prior approval.
Huckabee maintained that he does not regret his diverse meetings during his ambassadorship, stating, “I met with a lot of people over the course of the time I’ve been here and will meet with a lot more.”
