Arab states condemn Huckabee after the US ambassador to Israel suggested in a podcast interview that Israel had a biblical right to vast territories across the Middle East. The comments quickly triggered widespread criticism from Arab and Islamic countries that viewed the remarks as dangerous and a provocation amid ongoing tensions in the region.
The backlash emerged as governments warned that such statements undermine efforts to de-escalate the Gaza war and risk fueling further instability, particularly at a time when regional diplomacy remains focused on preventing wider conflict.
Arab and Islamic nations issue joint condemnation
More than a dozen Arab and Islamic governments released a coordinated statement rejecting Huckabee’s comments, which were made during a discussion with US commentator Tucker Carlson. The episode explored biblical interpretations claiming Israel could extend from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq, prompting Huckabee to remark that “it would be fine if they took it all” before later calling the statement hyperbolic.
Countries signing the joint statement
The unified response was issued through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It included:
- United Arab Emirates
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Indonesia
- Pakistan
- Turkiye
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Bahrain
- Lebanon
- Syria
- State of Palestine
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council also signed the statement.
Key points from the joint statement
The governments said the remarks:
- Contradict international law and the UN Charter
- Threaten regional security and stability
- Undermine diplomatic efforts to reduce escalation in Gaza
- Suggest acceptance of Israeli control over Arab lands including the occupied Palestinian territory
They reaffirmed that Israel holds no sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, or any other Arab territories under international law.
Reactions from individual Arab states
Saudi Arabia described Huckabee’s words as reckless and irresponsible. Jordan said they constituted an assault on Arab sovereignty. Kuwait noted a flagrant violation of international legal principles, while Oman warned that the comments damage prospects for peace.
Egypt reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over any occupied Arab territory, and the Palestinian Authority stated that the remarks contradict Washington’s declared rejection of Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
Iran and other responses
Iran also weighed in, accusing Huckabee of exposing what it described as “American complicity” in Israeli expansionism. The statement added that such rhetoric encourages continued occupation and conflict across the region.
Context of Huckabee’s remarks and political implications
The controversy comes as Israel has moved to register large areas of land in the West Bank, a step widely viewed as paving the way for annexation. The move drew criticism from Arab states earlier in the month and revived concerns about renewed settlement expansion.
US policy and Gaza war context
The joint statement noted that Huckabee’s comments contradict the approach of US President Donald Trump, whose administration has emphasized reducing escalation in Gaza and promoting a political framework for a two-state solution.
Huckabee’s clarification
After the backlash, Huckabee described his initial comment as exaggerated, saying Israel was not seeking to expand beyond its current borders. He did not address the core biblical reference that triggered the controversy.
Regional fears over expansionist rhetoric
The idea of Israel claiming lands extending across modern-day Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and parts of Saudi Arabia has long been rejected by Arab governments as a provocation rooted in extremist interpretations.
Why it matters for Iraq
Iraq is directly referenced in the biblical concept discussed in the interview. Statements implying a right to lands reaching the Euphrates echo historical territorial claims that have shaped political sensitivities in the region. Iraqi officials have consistently opposed any rhetoric suggesting the redefinition of borders in the Middle East.
Conclusion:
The uproar over Huckabee’s comments highlights the sensitivity surrounding territorial issues and the role of international rhetoric in shaping regional tensions. Arab governments continue to emphasize that any suggestion of expanding Israeli control threatens stability and undermines diplomatic efforts at a critical moment.
