U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee Draws Widespread Condemnation for "Hyperbolic" Israel Land Remarks

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has drawn extensive criticism from Arab and Muslim nations following comments made during a recent interview suggesting Israel's biblical right to a significant portion of the Middle East. During the interview, which aired on Friday, Ambassador Huckabee stated that it "would be fine if they took it all," a remark he later clarified as "somewhat hyperbolic." Over a dozen countries and three major regional organizations subsequently issued a joint statement condemning the remarks, characterizing them as provocative and contrary to international law and peace efforts.

Ambassador Huckabee's Remarks

During an interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, aired on Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee discussed interpretations of Old Testament scripture regarding Israel's territorial claims. Carlson referenced Genesis chapter 15, verse 18, which describes a promise of land from the Nile River (or "wadi of Egypt") to the Euphrates River, an area that Carlson noted would encompass much of the Middle East, including the Levant, parts of Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

Ambassador Huckabee responded to Carlson's line of questioning by stating, "It would be fine if they took it all," and added that Israel is "a land that God gave, through Abraham, to a people that he chose."

He later clarified that his initial statement was "somewhat of a hyperbolic statement" and that Israel was "not asking to take all of that." He further stated that Israel was not seeking territorial expansion but had a right to security within what he described as its "legitimately held land."

In the interview, he acknowledged that the biblical interpretation would refer to "a big piece of land."

International Condemnation Mounts

Ambassador Huckabee's comments elicited immediate and widespread condemnation from numerous Arab and Muslim nations. On Sunday, a joint statement was issued by the foreign ministries of 14 countries and endorsed by three major regional organizations.

The condemning countries include:

• The United Arab Emirates
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Indonesia
• Pakistan
• Turkey
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Bahrain
• Lebanon
• Syria
• The State of Palestine

The regional organizations endorsing the statement were:

• The Organization of Islamic Cooperation
• The Arab League
• The Gulf Cooperation Council

The joint statement asserted that Ambassador Huckabee's remarks contradict the UN Charter and efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza and advance a political solution. The condemning parties reiterated their firm opposition to any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, and to the expansion of settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. They warned that expansionist policies and unlawful measures could escalate violence and conflict, potentially undermining peace prospects in the region.

Prior to the joint statement, several Arab states issued individual condemnations:

• Saudi Arabia labeled the comments as "extremist rhetoric," "unacceptable," "reckless," and "irresponsible," requesting clarification from the U.S. State Department.
• Egypt 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 described the comments as "an assault on the sovereignty of the countries of the region."
• Kuwait termed the remarks a "flagrant violation of the principles of international law."
• Oman stated the comments "threatened the prospects for peace" and stability in the region.
• The League of Arab States noted that such "extremist and lacking any sound basis" statements only serve to "inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions."
• The Palestinian Authority commented that Huckabee’s words contradict "US President Donald Trump’s rejection of (Israel) annexing the West Bank."

Neither Israel nor the United States issued an immediate official response to the condemnations. Ambassador Huckabee later published posts on X to clarify his position on other topics discussed in the interview but did not address his remark concerning the biblical verse.

Context of Israeli Territory and International Stance

Israel's borders have not been fully recognized since its establishment in 1948, having shifted due to conflicts, annexations, ceasefires, and peace agreements. In the 1967 Mideast war, Israel acquired the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel later withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula as part of a peace agreement with Egypt following the 1973 war and unilaterally exited Gaza in 2005.

Palestinians advocate for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital, a position supported by a significant portion of the international community. International law considers Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza to be illegal. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously stated opposition to Israel annexing the West Bank.

In recent months, Israel has increased construction in Jewish settlements, legalized outposts, and modified administrative policies in the occupied West Bank. Ambassador Huckabee has consistently opposed a two-state solution and previously expressed disagreement with referring to Arab descendants who resided in British-controlled Palestine as "Palestinians."

Recent reports also indicate shifts in territorial control:

• Following the beginning of its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Israel has expanded its control over land in Gaza. Under a current ceasefire, Israeli troops have withdrawn to a buffer zone but maintain control over more than half of the territory.
• Earlier in 2024, Israel's military reportedly assumed control of a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria, established by a 1974 ceasefire, following the removal of Syrian President Bashar Assad. This move was described as temporary for border security.
• Also in 2024, Israel reportedly continues to occupy five hilltop posts in Lebanese territory after a conflict with Hezbollah.

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who advocates for the annexation of Palestinian territory, posted a positive response to the interview on social media. Tucker Carlson, the interviewer, had previously referred to Israel as "probably the most violent country on Earth" in the same episode featuring the Huckabee interview.