US Ambassador’s Remarks on Israel Spark Outrage Across Middle East
Comments by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggesting Israel has a right to much of the Middle East have drawn sharp condemnation from Arab and Muslim nations, escalating regional tensions and raising concerns about the future of peace efforts.
Huckabee’s Controversial Statements
The controversy stems from an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired on Friday, February 21, 2026 . Carlson, referencing the biblical promise of land to Abraham, questioned whether the modern state of Israel had a right to the territories described in the Bible, stretching from the Euphrates River to the Nile.
Huckabee responded, stating, “It would be fine if they took it all.” He quickly added that Israel is not currently seeking to expand its territory, asserting they are focused on security within their existing borders .
Regional Condemnation
The remarks triggered a swift and unified response from several countries across the Middle East. A joint statement issued on Saturday, February 22, 2026, by the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, denounced Huckabee’s comments as “dangerous and inflammatory” .
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoing the sentiment of the joint statement, emphasized that Huckabee’s claim contradicted international law and the UN Charter . The statement further asserted that Israel holds no sovereignty over Palestinian territories or other occupied Arab lands, and firmly rejected any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip.
Concerns Over Peace Efforts
The joint statement also expressed concern that Huckabee’s remarks were not aligned with stated US policy supporting a two-state solution and peaceful coexistence in the region. The countries emphasized that such statements undermine efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza and promote tolerance .
Huckabee’s Response
While initial reports did not include a direct response from Ambassador Huckabee to the widespread condemnation, sources indicate he has described his statements as “hyperbolic” .
Background on Ambassador Huckabee
Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, has been a long-time supporter of Israel and a defender of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, territories captured in the 1967 war that most countries consider illegal . Israel disputes this view, citing biblical and historical ties to the land.