U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked a major diplomatic controversy after telling a high-profile interview that “it would be fine if [Israel] took it all,” when asked whether the country had the right to control a large portion of the Middle East based on a biblical promise.

Huckabee’s remarks were made during a conversation with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, which aired on Friday. Carlson cited an Old Testament passage in which God promises land from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in Iraq to Abraham’s descendants — a stretch that, in modern terms, would include Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

When pressed on whether Israel has the right to that land, the ambassador responded:
“It would be fine if they took it all.” — though he added he didn’t believe Israel was actually trying to annex all of those territories.

Reactions and Backlash

The comments drew immediate and strong condemnation from governments across the Arab and Muslim world:

• Saudi Arabia called his statement “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
• Jordan described it as “an assault on the sovereignty” of regional states.
• Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the League of Arab States also denounced the remarks as extremist and provocative.

Officials said the ambassador’s interpretation goes beyond established international law and U.S. policy, and could fuel tensions in an already volatile region.

Clarifications and Context

Huckabee later tried to walk back the most expansive interpretation of his statement, saying Israel was not currently seeking to occupy neighboring countries, and that his remarks were partly “hyperbolic.”

However, the episode reignited debates over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, especially regarding Israel’s territorial claims and its long-standing conflict with the Palestinians.

The U.S. State Department has not issued a formal response clarifying whether Huckabee’s comments reflect official U.S. policy.

Why It Matters

• The remarks tap into deep historical and religious interpretations tied to biblical texts.
• They come at a sensitive time in the Israel-Palestine conflict, with ongoing international efforts to stabilize the region.
• Regional governments warn such statements could undermine peace efforts and worsen diplomatic relations.