Arab and Muslim governments have strongly condemned comments made by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggesting that Israel could be justified in taking control over vast swathes of the Middle East on biblical grounds.
In an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, Huckabee was asked whether Israel had a right to land described in the Bible as “essentially the entire Middle East.” The ambassador responded, “It would be fine if it took it all,” but later clarified that Israel was “asking to at least take the land that they now occupy” to protect its people. He described his earlier statement as “hyperbolic.”
The remarks sparked immediate backlash. In a joint statement, more than a dozen governments — including Jordan, Egypt, and United Arab Emirates — called the comments “dangerous and inflammatory” and warned they threatened ongoing efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.
The statement, released by the UAE Foreign Ministry on behalf of participating nations and regional organizations, said Huckabee’s remarks suggested Israel could exercise control over territories belonging to Arab states, including the Occupied West Bank. The governments stressed that the comments violated international law and contradicted efforts by the United States to broker a peaceful settlement ensuring Palestinian self-determination.
“They reiterated their firm rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, opposed expansion of settlements, and categorically rejected any threat to the sovereignty of Arab states,” the statement added.
The condemnation was signed by governments including Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, and the State of Palestine, as well as by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The diplomatic pushback highlights growing concern in the region that statements from U.S. officials could embolden Israeli claims over disputed territories, undermining international law and peace initiatives aimed at resolving the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Officials emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or other Arab lands, reaffirming support for a two-state solution and the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions in Gaza, where international efforts continue to seek a sustainable ceasefire and humanitarian relief for civilians affected by the conflict.
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