Arab and Islamic nations have voiced strong disapproval of comments made by U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. While appearing on Tucker Carlson’s podcast, Huckabee suggested that Israel had a biblical claim to vast areas of the Middle East, a statement that sparked immediate backlash.
During the episode, Huckabee discussed a biblical verse often interpreted as legitimizing Israel’s ownership of land stretching from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates in Syria and Iraq. He stated, “It would be fine if they took it all,” but later toned this down, claiming it was a hyperbolic remark.
By Sunday, over a dozen Arab nations, along with several regional organizations, released a joint statement condemning Huckabee’s remarks as “dangerous and inflammatory.” This statement was made public by the United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry and included signatures from countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, among others. They argued that Huckabee’s comments misalign with the UN Charter and hinder peace efforts in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Previously, some countries had expressed their discontent individually. Saudi Arabia labeled Huckabee’s statements as “reckless,” while Jordan described them as an “assault on the sovereignty” of regional nations. Kuwait highlighted the comments as a “flagrant violation of international law.” Egypt reaffirmed that Israel holds no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a twist, the Palestinian Authority accused Huckabee of contradicting former U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance against the annexation of the West Bank. Meanwhile, Huckabee took to social media to clarify other points from his interview but did not retract his comments on the biblical verse.
Interestingly, Israeli parliament speaker Amir Ohana showed support for Huckabee on social media, praising his pro-Israel views and criticizing Tucker Carlson for distorting the truth.
The fallout from Huckabee’s comments resonated far beyond social media. Recent surveys indicate that public opinion on U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern affairs is shifting, with many advocating for a more balanced approach. As global perspectives evolve, comments like Huckabee’s can stir significant debate and tension, highlighting the complexities of geopolitics in the region.
For more insights on the ongoing Middle East situation and U.S. foreign policy, you can check out reports from The Guardian.
