US ambassador says Israel has right to much of Middle East, sparking uproar

South China Morning Post DiplomaticNews ReportEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressFebruary 21, 2026 at 10:46 PM

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Israel’s opposition leader voices support for ‘broad’ Middle East expansion

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US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, stated in an interview that Israel would be justified in taking "all" of the Middle East, based on biblical claims. These comments, made during a Friday interview with Tucker Carlson, sparked immediate condemnation from several Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, as well as organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States. These entities criticized Huckabee's remarks as extremist and a violation of international law. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry called for clarification from the US State Department regarding its official position. Egypt's foreign ministry emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian or other Arab lands.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

Huckabee added that Israel was not looking to expand its territory.

quote — Mike Huckabee100% confidence

Egypt’s foreign ministry called his comments a “blatant violation” of international law.

quote — Egypt’s foreign ministry100% confidence

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s comments as “extremist rhetoric”.

quote — Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry100% confidence

Huckabee said: “It would be fine if they took it all.”

quote — Mike Huckabee100% confidence

US ambassador Mike Huckabee said Israel has a right to much of the Middle East.

factual — Article100% confidence

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Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Oman 30% Kuwait 40% Gaza Strip 40% Jordan 50% League of Arab States 50% Saudi Arabia ×260% Tucker Carlson ×260% Egypt ×260% United States ×270% Israel ×580% Mike Huckabee ×690%

Keywords

israel 100% middle east 90% us ambassador 80% mike huckabee 80% territorial rights 70% arab nations 60% international law 60% extremist rhetoric 50% occupied palestinian territory 50%