Mike Huckabee previously contended that religious texts grant Israel the authority to dominate a significant portion of the Middle East
Nations with Arab and Muslim majorities have criticized Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel, for suggesting that Israel holds a biblical claim to extensive areas of the Middle East.
During a Friday interview with Tucker Carlson, Huckabee—who is a Baptist minister and identifies as a Christian Zionist—stated that it would be acceptable for Israel to claim land spanning from the Nile River to the Euphrates River. He subsequently clarified that Israel does not intend to expand its borders but possesses the right to ensure its security.
The Arab League, representing 22 states, denounced the comments as “highly extremist,” asserting that they conflict with “the fundamental principles and norms of diplomacy.”
“Extremist statements like these, which lack any sound basis, only serve to inflame public sentiment and provoke religious and nationalist feelings precisely when states are gathering under the Board of Peace framework to discuss implementing the Gaza peace deal,” stated Gamal Roshdy, spokesperson for Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of 57 Muslim-majority countries, released a comparable statement cautioning that such “dangerous and irresponsible” comments “fuel extremist ideological rhetoric” and prompt Israel to “impose annexation” upon Palestinian lands.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry declared that Huckabee’s “absurd and provocative” remarks breach diplomatic protocols and the UN Charter. Egypt characterized the comments as a “flagrant departure” from international law and UN principles.
The US envoy was also condemned by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Lebanon, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Palestinian Authority for jeopardizing global peace and security.
Israel continues to exercise military authority over sections of the West Bank, Gaza, southern Lebanon, and southwestern Syria. Earlier this month, the Israeli security cabinet sanctioned a proposal to classify vast tracts of the West Bank as “state property”, marking the first such instance since the 1967 Six-Day War. Muslim nations have criticized this action and urged the international community to implement “clear and decisive steps” in response to Israel.