US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Sparks Controversy Over 'Greater Israel' Remarks

In an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson aired on Friday, February 20, 2026, Huckabee suggested that it "would be fine" if Israel were to control the entire region described in the Bible as stretching from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq. This vast area, often referred to as "Greater Israel," encompasses modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia.

Huckabee, an evangelical Christian appointed by the Trump administration in 2025, argued that the Jewish people have a "historical and biblical connection" to these lands through a divine covenant. When Carlson asked if it would be acceptable for Israel to claim such a massive territory, Huckabee replied, "It would be fine if they took it all," although he later characterized his comment as "hyperbolic" and clarified that Israel is not currently seeking to annex neighboring sovereign states.

The remarks have drawn swift and severe condemnation from across the Arab world and international organizations:

• Arab Response: Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq have denounced the comments as "absurd and provocative," labeling them a blatant violation of international law and state sovereignty.

• Global Concern: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) described the statements as "dangerous and irresponsible," warning that such rhetoric encourages illegal expansionism and undermines the architecture of Middle Eastern stability.

• Policy Friction: While Huckabee defended his views as theological, analysts point out that they represent a sharp pivot from decades of U.S. "two-state" diplomacy. Interestingly, President Donald Trump has publicly stated his opposition to West Bank annexation, leading to visible friction between the administration’s official policy and the Ambassador’s rhetoric.

This controversy unfolds at an incredibly volatile time for the region. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Friday killed at least 10 people, including a Hezbollah military leader, in what Lebanese officials are calling a major violation of the 2024 ceasefire. Simultaneously, tensions remain high at the Al-Aqsa Mosque due to entry restrictions, and the U.S. has recently deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the region to deter potential escalations involving Iran.