Arabic version: السفير الأمريكي يؤيد التوسع الإسرائيلي المحتمل في الشرق الأوسط
Mike Huckabee, the United States ambassador to Israel, suggested in a recent interview that he would not object if Israel were to expand its territory across most of the Middle East. He emphasized the Jewish people’s right to the land, referencing biblical claims during a conversation with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.
According to Al Jazeera, Huckabee was prompted by Carlson about Israel’s geographical borders, which Huckabee argues are biblically rooted. Carlson pointed out a biblical verse promising land to the descendants of Abraham, which would include a vast area spanning modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia. Huckabee responded, “It would be fine if they took it all.”
Despite his bold statement, Huckabee seemed to clarify his position by suggesting that Israel is not actively seeking to take over these lands. He remarked that if Israel were attacked and subsequently won a war, the discussion around territorial expansion would change.
The U.S. State Department did not provide comments regarding whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio supports Huckabee’s views on territorial expansion. International law, established post-World War II, prohibits the acquisition of land by force, and a 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal.
Huckabee’s comments come as discussions in Israel about expanding its borders continue, a notion supported by some Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Huckabee has faced criticism for his stance, particularly regarding the rights of U.S. citizens affected by Israeli actions during his tenure as ambassador.
