Mike Huckabee, appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Israel in April 2025, is an evangelical Christian known for his controversial views on Israel’s territorial claims. He previously spoke about what he described as Israel’s ‘divine right’ to the West Bank.
On Sunday, fourteen countries and three regional organizations condemned Huckabee’s remarks, in which he stated that it is acceptable for Israel to exert control over Arab lands, including the occupied West Bank. A joint statement from the foreign ministries of Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates expressed ‘strong condemnation and deep concern’ over Huckabee’s comments.
The statement, which also included the participation of the secretariats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, described the U.S. representative’s remarks as ‘dangerous and provocative,’ asserting that they violate international law and pose a serious threat to regional security and stability.The foreign ministries emphasized that Huckabee’s statements contradict the vision presented by former U.S. President Donald Trump and the ‘comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,’ which aimed to mitigate tensions and create a political pathway toward a comprehensive solution ensuring an independent Palestinian state.
Signatories of the statement reiterated that ‘this plan is based on promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence’ and warned that attempts to legitimize control over others’ lands undermine these objectives and incite further tensions, rather than advancing peace.
The ministries stated once again that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories or any other Arab lands. They firmly opposed any efforts to annex the West Bank or separate it from Gaza, condemned the expansion of settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, and rejected any threats against the sovereignty of Arab nations.The statement cautioned that ‘the continuation of Israel’s expansionist policies and illegal actions will only escalate violence and conflict in the region, undermining peace prospects.’ The signatories called for an end to what they termed ‘inflammatory rhetoric’ and reiterated their commitment to the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, as well as the end of the occupation of all Arab lands.
In defense of Israel’s expansive territorial claims, Huckabee argued that Israel has a ‘biblical right’ to land extending from the Nile River to the Euphrates. In a podcast released on Friday, he stated, ‘If they (Israel) take all of it, that’s fine.’ Huckabee made these remarks during an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, where he defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and supported the idea of ‘divine providence’ granting control of the region to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview last August, expressed his strong belief in the vision of a ‘Greater Israel,’ viewing himself as part of a ‘historical and spiritual mission’ that includes generations of Jews who dreamt of coming to this land and those who will come after them.The concept of ‘Greater Israel,’ supported by extreme nationalist Israelis, generally refers to an expansionist view claiming sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and parts of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan. The joint statement notably described this controversy as contradictory to Washington’s stated diplomatic goals.
The foreign ministries emphasized that such remarks are ‘directly contrary’ to the vision presented by President Donald J. Trump and the ‘comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,’ which was intended to mitigate tensions and create a political pathway toward a comprehensive solution.
They argued that statements perceived as supporting territorial expansion constitute incitement rather than peace promotion. Even before the collective statement was issued, several regional governments had reacted individually. Saudi Arabia described the ambassador’s remarks as ‘thoughtless’ and ‘irresponsible,’ while Jordan called them ‘an infringement on the sovereignty of regional countries.’ Kuwait spoke of a ‘blatant violation of international law,’ and Oman warned that these remarks threaten peace and stability.The Egyptian Foreign Ministry reiterated that ‘Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories or any other Arab lands,’ a position echoed by Palestinian officials who noted that these statements contradict the U.S. opposition to the annexation of the West Bank.
Iran also entered the fray, with its Foreign Ministry accusing Huckabee of revealing what it termed ‘active U.S. complicity’ in Israeli policies. Ismail Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, emphasized that the Islamic Republic, in line with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemns these ‘extremist ideological statements,’ which embolden the occupying regime in its ongoing crimes against Palestinians and continual aggressions against regional countries.
Observers believe Tehran often leverages such disputes to bolster its long-standing criticism of U.S. and Israeli actions in the region. Although Huckabee later clarified some aspects of his interview with Carlson on social media, he did not directly retract his biblical claims. Meanwhile, Amir Ohana, the Speaker of the Knesset in Israel, praised Huckabee’s overall pro-Israel stance and criticized Carlson, accusing him of ‘lying and distorting.’This incident heightened already tense sensitivities in the region with governments warning that remarks concerning borders sovereignty and occupation carry significant geopolitical implications. Notably these comments align with Netanyahu’s statements regarding ‘Greater Israel’ which have become more pronounced and operational following the events of October 7 2023.
In this context Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian a retired Princeton University professor noted on his Telegram channel that ‘the official statements of the U.S. ambassador to Israel and the Israeli Prime Minister indicate that the real narrative behind previous U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran and the unprecedented deployment of U.S. military forces in the region is not about Iran’s nuclear issue and enrichment but rather about the ‘Greater Israel’ project.’
Mike Huckabee the U.S. ambassador to Israel stated that if Israel expands throughout the Middle East ‘there’s no problem’ emphasizing what he described as the Jewish people’s right to the ‘Promised Land.’ Netanyahu expressed that he feels he is on a ‘historical and spiritual mission’ and is ‘very’ committed to the vision of the Promised Land and Greater Israel.
