US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has found himself at the center of international controversy following statements made during a recent appearance on Tucker Carlson’s podcast program.
During the discussion, Huckabee addressed questions about biblical references to territory that encompasses portions of Egypt, Syria, and Iraq as belonging to Israel, though he emphasized that Jerusalem has no current plans for such expansion.
The diplomatic storm erupted when Carlson pressed the ambassador about Israel’s rights to what he described as “basically the entire Middle East.” When asked directly if Israel had legitimate claim to such vast territory, Huckabee initially deflected, saying “Not sure we’d go that far” and noting “It would be a big piece of land.”
However, when Carlson persisted with his questioning, Huckabee responded, “It would be fine if they took it all,” though he quickly clarified, “I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here today.”
When specifically asked about Israel potentially taking control of Jordan, Huckabee defended Israel’s current position, stating “They’re not trying to take over Jordan. They’re not trying to take over Syria. They’re not trying to take over Iraq or anywhere else, but they do want to protect their people.”
The ambassador further explained, “I think you’re missing something because they’re not asking to go back to take all of that, 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.”
Regional governments responded with swift condemnation on Saturday, characterizing Huckabee’s statements as violations of established diplomatic protocols and international legal standards.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Fuad al-Majali condemned what he termed “absurd and provocative statements,” declaring them “an assault on the sovereignty of the countries of the region and a flagrant breach of international law.”
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry similarly rejected the ambassador’s remarks, labeling them a “blatant violation” of diplomatic standards and arguing they contradicted President Donald Trump’s expressed goals for resolving the Gaza conflict.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, representing the organization’s 22 member nations, criticized Huckabee’s position as conflicting with established US foreign policy stances. Palestinian leadership also responded, calling on the Trump administration to issue a “clear and explicit stance” addressing the controversial statements.
Neither the White House nor the State Department provided responses to media inquiries seeking comment on the matter.
