US Envoy Triggers Row After Saying Israel Has A 'Right' To Much Of West Asia

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 22:51 IST

Arab and Muslim nations condemned Mike Huckabee’s comments suggesting Israel could claim much of the West Asia, sparking backlash from Egypt, Jordan, and OIC.

Arab and Muslim nations have strongly condemned comments by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who suggested that Israel would be justified in claiming much of the Middle East.

Huckabee made the remarks in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that aired on Friday. During the discussion, Carlson referred to Biblical passages from Genesis, saying the descendants of Abraham were promised land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates territory that would include much of today’s Middle East.

Asked whether Israel had a right to that land, Huckabee responded: “It would be fine if they took it all." He later clarified that Israel was not actively seeking to expand its territory and said the country had a right to security in the land it legitimately controls.

Sharp Backlash From Arab Bloc

The comments triggered swift criticism from Egypt and Jordan, as well as from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.

Egypt’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s remarks as a “blatant violation" of international law, stating that “Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands."

The League of Arab States called the statements “extremist" and “provocative," warning that such rhetoric inflames religious and national tensions and does not reflect official US policy.

There was no immediate response from either the Israeli government or US officials.

A Long-Running Territorial Dispute

Israel’s borders have shifted repeatedly since the country was established in 1948, shaped by wars, annexations, ceasefires and peace agreements.

During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel later returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt under a peace treaty and withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

However, Israel continues to occupy the West Bank, where it has expanded Jewish settlements and legalised several outposts. Although US President Donald Trump has said he would block any formal annexation of the West Bank, Palestinians continue to seek an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital a position supported by much of the international community.

Huckabee’s Longstanding Views

Huckabee has previously opposed the two-state solution and questioned the use of the term “Palestinians" for Arab descendants of those who lived in British-controlled Palestine.

In the recent interview, when Carlson suggested the Biblical land promise would include Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Huckabee appeared to soften his stance slightly, saying: “Not sure we’d go that far. I mean, it would be a big piece of land."

Expanding Tensions In The Region

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Israel has increased its control over parts of the territory. Under a current ceasefire, Israeli forces have withdrawn to a buffer zone but still control more than half of Gaza.

Israel has also taken control of a demilitarised buffer zone in Syria following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad in late 2024, describing the move as temporary and necessary for border security. In Lebanon, Israeli troops continue to occupy five hilltop positions after a brief conflict with Hezbollah in 2024.

Huckabee’s remarks come amid heightened regional sensitivities, as territorial claims remain one of the most contentious and emotionally charged aspects of the decades-long Middle East conflict.

News world US Envoy Triggers Row After Saying Israel Has A 'Right' To Much Of West Asia

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