Mike Huckabee, appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Israel in April 2025, is an evangelical Christian known for his previous comments on Israel’s alleged territorial claims based on what he describes as its ‘divine right’ in the West Bank.
According to international reports, fourteen countries and three regional organizations condemned Huckabee’s remarks on Sunday, in which he stated that ‘it is acceptable for Israel to exert control over lands belonging to Arab nations, including the occupied West Bank.’ In a joint statement, foreign ministries from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates expressed their ‘strong condemnation and deep concern’ regarding these statements.
The statement was also supported by the secretariats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.The ministries labeled the U.S. representative’s comments as ‘dangerous and provocative,’ asserting that such statements are a ‘blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter’ and pose a serious threat to regional security and stability.
They added that these remarks directly contradict the vision articulated by former U.S. President Donald Trump and the ‘comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,’ which aims to de-escalate tensions and create a political horizon for a comprehensive solution ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Signatories emphasized that ‘this plan is based on promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence’ and warned that efforts to ‘legitimize control over others’ lands undermine these objectives, fueling tensions rather than advancing peace.The statement reiterated that ‘Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories or any other Arab lands.’ They also declared their ‘firm opposition to any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, vehemently opposing the expansion of settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories and completely rejecting any threats against the sovereignty of Arab nations.’
This warning noted that ‘the continuation of Israel’s expansionist policies and illegal actions will only escalate violence and conflict in the region, undermining prospects for peace.’ Signatories called for an end to what they termed ‘incendiary remarks’ 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 ending the occupation of all Arab territories.Huckabee’s defense of Israel’s extensive territorial claims has garnered significant attention. He argued that Israel has a ‘biblical right’ to land stretching from the Nile River to the Euphrates, stating in a podcast released on Friday, ‘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 stated last August that he feels ‘very much dependent’ on the vision of ‘Greater Israel,’ viewing himself as part of a ‘historic and spiritual mission’ that includes ‘generations of Jews who dreamed of coming here and generations that will follow us.’The concept of ‘Greater Israel,’ supported by radical Israeli nationalists, generally refers to an expansionist vision claiming sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and parts of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan.
Notably, the joint statement described this controversy as contradicting the stated diplomatic goals of Washington. The ministries emphasized that such remarks are ‘directly contradictory’ to the vision proposed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and the ‘comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,’ which they claimed was designed to de-escalate tensions and create a political pathway toward a comprehensive solution.They argued that statements perceived as support for territorial expansion are ‘provocative rather than promoting peace.’ Even before the collective statement was issued, several regional governments had responded separately. Saudi Arabia described the Ambassador’s remarks as ‘thoughtless’ and ‘irresponsible,’ while Jordan labeled them as ‘an infringement on the sovereignty of regional nations.’ Kuwait spoke of ‘a blatant violation of international law,’ and Oman warned that these statements threaten peace and stability.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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 remarks contradict the U.S. stance against annexation of the West Bank.Iran also entered the discussion, with its Foreign Ministry accusing Huckabee of revealing what it termed ‘America’s active complicity’ in Israeli policies. In this context, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqai emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran, in alignment with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemns these ‘extremist ideological rhetoric,’ which emboldens the occupying regime in its ongoing crimes against Palestinians and continuous aggressions against regional nations.
Observers note that Tehran often uses such controversies to bolster its long-standing criticism of U.S. and Israeli actions in the region.While 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 the commentator of ‘lying and distorting.’
This incident has heightened already tense sensitivities in the region, with governments warning that remarks regarding borders, sovereignty, and occupation carry significant geopolitical implications, especially as these statements align with Netanyahu’s remarks about ‘Greater Israel’ that have gained traction following the events of October 7, 2023.In this context Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian a retired professor at Princeton University noted on his Telegram channel that ‘the official remarks of the U.S. Ambassador in Israel and the Israeli Prime Minister indicate that the true narrative behind previous military attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran as well as 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 stated that if Israel expands throughout the Middle East ‘there is no problem’ emphasizing what he described as the Jewish people’s right to the ‘Promised Land.’ Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that he feels he is on a ‘historic and spiritual mission’ and is ‘very’ dependent on the vision of the Promised Land and Greater Israel.
