‘Absurd and provocative’: Huckabee faces firestorm for Israel border stance
Israel’s opposition leader voices support for ‘broad’ Middle East expansion
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In February 2026, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked controversy after suggesting in an interview that Israel has a right to expand its territory to encompass land between the Euphrates and Nile rivers. These remarks, made during an interview with Tucker Carlson, implied Israeli claim to modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia. Huckabee later walked back the statement, calling it hyperbolic. However, his initial comments drew immediate condemnation from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the League of Arab States. These entities criticized Huckabee's statements as extremist, provocative, and inconsistent with official US policy, with Saudi Arabia requesting clarification from the US Department of State.
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AI-ExtractedEgypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, denounce US ambassador’s remarks suggesting Israel has right to much of the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable”.
Huckabee later appeared to walk back the claim, saying it was “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement”.
Huckabee said, 'It would be fine if they took it all,' referring to territory between the Euphrates and Nile rivers.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested Israel has a right to expand its territory across a large swath of the Middle East.
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