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Washington – U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has ignited controversy with remarks suggesting he believes Israel could have a legitimate claim to control territory spanning much of the Middle East. In a recent interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Huckabee stated, “It would be fine if they took it all,” when discussing a biblical interpretation of land promised to Abraham’s descendants.
The comments, made during a discussion centered on interpretations of Old Testament scripture and the U.S. Christian nationalist movement, have drawn swift criticism and raised questions about the ambassador’s views on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Huckabee, a Trump administration appointee and former governor of Arkansas, framed the issue within a religious context, asserting Israel is a land “God gave, through Abraham, to a people that he chose.”
Carlson, who recently claimed he experienced unusual treatment at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel – a claim disputed by Israeli and U.S. Officials – prompted Huckabee by referencing a biblical verse outlining land “from the wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” Carlson noted this area encompasses modern-day Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and significant portions of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. While Huckabee tempered the assertion, stating he wasn’t sure it would extend that far, he acknowledged it would represent “a big piece of land.”
The interview took place during Carlson’s trip to Israel, which generated headlines after he alleged “bizarre” treatment at the airport. However, the Israel Airports Authority released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) clarifying that Carlson and his team were “not detained, delayed, or interrogated.”
Biblical Interpretation and Regional Implications
Huckabee’s remarks stem from a specific interpretation of biblical texts regarding the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. He argued that Israel is seeking to maintain control over areas where Israelis currently reside, rather than claiming all historically referenced territory. “They’re not asking to move back to take all of that,” Huckabee said, “But they are asking to at least take the land that they now occupy, they now live in, they now own legitimately, and it is a safe haven for them.”
This perspective aligns with a broader evangelical Christian Zionist viewpoint, which often emphasizes a religious connection to the land of Israel. However, critics argue that such interpretations can minimize Palestinian rights and contribute to the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The remarks come at a sensitive time, as international concern grows over Israeli settlement expansion and the viability of a two-state solution. A recent report from the UN human rights office accused Israel of committing war crimes and raising concerns over “ethnic cleansing” in the West Bank, as reported by The National News.
Context of the Interview and Carlson’s Position
The interview with Huckabee also comes amidst a shift in Tucker Carlson’s public stance on U.S. Support for Israel. Carlson has increasingly questioned the long-standing alliance, moving away from mainstream conservative viewpoints. Huckabee, in contrast, represents a more traditional pro-Israel conservative position.
Following Carlson’s claims of mistreatment in Tel Aviv, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett sharply criticized the podcaster on X, calling him a “phony” and questioning his expertise on Israel. Huckabee responded on X, stating that all travelers undergo security checks when entering and exiting Israel.
The dynamic between Carlson and Huckabee highlights a growing divide within conservative circles regarding U.S. Foreign policy in the Middle East. Carlson’s questioning of aid to Ukraine and his increasingly critical stance on Israel reflect a broader trend of isolationist sentiment within some segments of the political right.
What to Watch Next
The fallout from Huckabee’s comments is likely to continue, potentially prompting further scrutiny of his views and their impact on U.S. Policy toward Israel and the Palestinian territories. The Biden administration has not yet publicly commented on the remarks. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the international community grapples with the ongoing conflict and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
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