Arab and Muslim Nations Unite in Condemning US Ambassador's Israel Expansion Remarks
More than a dozen Arab and Muslim-majority governments have issued a powerful joint condemnation of comments made by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, after he suggested Israel would be justified in taking control of a vast region of the Middle East based on Biblical grounds. The diplomatic backlash was swift and severe, highlighting deep-seated tensions in the region.
Controversial Interview Sparks Outrage
The remarks were made during an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, in which Huckabee was asked whether Israel had a Biblical right to territory stretching between the River Nile and the Euphrates. This area encompasses significant portions of the modern Middle East, including parts of several Arab nations.
Responding to this hypothetical scenario, Huckabee stated "it would be fine if it took it all," though he later described the comment as "hyperbolic" and clarified that Israel was not seeking to occupy the entire region. He added that Israel was "asking to at least take the land that they now occupy" and ensure security for its people.
Joint Diplomatic Statement Issued
In a strongly worded joint statement issued by the United Arab Emirates on behalf of multiple governments, the remarks were described as "dangerous and inflammatory." The signatories included Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and several other nations.
The statement argued that:
- The comments threatened regional stability
- They undermined efforts to end the war in Gaza
- Any suggestion Israel could exercise sovereignty over occupied Arab lands violated international law
- This included the West Bank specifically
The declaration also reiterated firm support for a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Broad Regional Support for Condemnation
The condemnation received additional endorsement from major regional bodies, including:
- The Arab League
- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- The Gulf Cooperation Council
This broad coalition demonstrates the widespread concern across the Muslim world about the implications of such statements on the already fragile Middle East peace process.
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
Huckabee has previously voiced support for Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, a stance that departs from longstanding US policy backing a negotiated two-state framework. Israel has expanded settlement construction in the West Bank since capturing the territory in the 1967 war.
These settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law, including in a 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected this conclusion, maintaining Israel's right to build in what it considers disputed territories.
The controversy comes amid continuing conflict in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military campaign. The diplomatic fallout highlights ongoing tensions over sovereignty, annexation, and the broader future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Arab and Muslim nations making their position unequivocally clear through this coordinated response.
