Arab League, Muslim nations condemn Huckabee for 'Greater Israel' comments in Carlson interview - The Times of Israel

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee faced widespread condemnation from Arab and Muslim nations following comments made during an interview on The Tucker Carlson Show. Huckabee stated that it "would be fine" if Israel took over a significant portion of the Middle East, specifically referencing the land between the Euphrates and Nile Rivers. This area includes parts of five countries and the occupied Palestinian territories. His remarks align with the "Greater Israel" concept, which has been supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials. The backlash was swift, with several members of the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issuing a joint statement denouncing Huckabee's comments as "inflammatory." The statement highlighted the absurdity and provocation of suggesting that Israel has the right to expand its territory in such a manner. Countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia were among those expressing outrage over Huckabee's remarks. In response to the criticism, Huckabee attempted to clarify his statement, suggesting that his comments were not meant to be taken literally, but rather stemmed from discussions about Israel's "biblical rights" to the land. Despite this clarification, the initial comments have sparked significant controversy and have been characterized as a dangerous endorsement of expansionist policies. The situation underscores the sensitive nature of territorial claims and the ongoing tensions in the region.