‘Absurd and provocative’: Huckabee faces firestorm for Israel border stance

Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, denounce US ambassador’s remarks suggesting Israel has right to much of the Middle East.Published On 21 Feb 2026United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has triggered an avalanche of criticism from Arab and Muslim countries after suggesting Israel has a right to expand its territory across a large swath of the Middle East.Huckabee delivered the remarks during a sit-down interview with US commentator Tucker Carlson, broadcast on Friday, as he was pressed about the geographical borders of Israel.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in strikes on Gaza during Ramadanlist 2 of 3Iran demands ‘evidence’ as Trump, UN experts highlight protest killingslist 3 of 3Israel wants to execute Palestinians and the world will allow itend of listCarlson asked Huckabee, a self-professed Christian Zionist and staunch supporter of Israel, to clarify his stance on the Biblical promise of the land spanning the area between the Euphrates River in Iraq and the Nile River in Egypt to the descendants of Abraham, and if the modern Israeli state had the right to claim that lineage.“It would be fine if they took it all,” said Huckabee.Such territory would encompass modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and parts of Saudi Arabia.The US ambassador later appeared to walk back the claim, saying it was “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement”. He also said Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has a right to security in the land it currently holds.‘Extremist rhetoric’Huckabee’s comments sparked immediate backlash from neighbouring Egypt and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, which in separate statements called them “extremist”, “provocative” and “not in line with Washington’s official position”.Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable”, and called for the US Department of State to provide clarification.