More than a dozen Arab and Islamic countries have issued a joint condemnation of remarks by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, after he suggested Israel had a biblical claim to territory stretching across much of the Middle East.
The statement, released Sunday by the United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry, described Huckabee’s comments as “dangerous and inflammatory” and said they contravened the principles of the United Nations Charter. It was signed by the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and the State of Palestine, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The controversy stems from an appearance by Huckabee on a podcast hosted by commentator Tucker Carlson. In the episode, released Friday, Carlson raised a biblical verse sometimes interpreted by some religious groups as describing Israel’s entitlement to land between the Nile River in Egypt and the Euphrates River in Syria and Iraq.
Huckabee responded: “It would be fine if they took it all.” When pressed, he added that Israel was “not asking to take all of that” and described his earlier comment as “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement.”
The remarks triggered immediate criticism across the region. Saudi Arabia called them “reckless” and “irresponsible,” while Jordan described them as “an assault on the sovereignty of the countries of the region.” Kuwait labelled the comments a “flagrant violation” of international law. Oman said they threatened peace and stability.
Egypt’s foreign ministry reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands. The Palestinian Authority said Huckabee’s remarks contradicted President Donald Trump’s stated rejection of Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
The joint statement argued that such rhetoric complicates efforts to de-escalate the war in Gaza and undermines attempts to establish a political pathway toward a comprehensive settlement.
Huckabee, a former Baptist minister known for his strong support of Israel, later posted on social media to clarify other elements of the interview but did not directly revisit his territorial comments.
In Israel, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana praised Huckabee’s pro-Israel stance and accused Carlson of misrepresentation. Carlson himself has faced controversy in recent months over interviews and statements critics describe as amplifying extremist narratives.
The diplomatic fallout underscores the sensitivity surrounding territorial claims in the Middle East, where borders remain tied to unresolved conflicts and questions of sovereignty. Even rhetorical references rooted in religious interpretation can resonate widely, particularly amid ongoing fighting in Gaza and heightened regional tensions.
The episode illustrates how statements by senior diplomats can reverberate beyond domestic political audiences, shaping perceptions of US policy and complicating already fragile diplomatic efforts.
