Huckabee declares Israel should ‘take it all,’ drawing backlash as he cites ancient texts as a reason

Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, has certainly stirred the pot with some recent comments about Israel’s territorial rights. He told conservative commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview that Israel had a right to “take it all,” referring to a significant portion of the Middle East. This statement has, predictably, drawn sharp criticism from several Arab and Muslim nations.

According to Politico, Carlson initially set the stage by referencing biblical texts, specifically the Book of Genesis, which he said promises Abraham’s descendants land that would essentially cover the entire Middle East, stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. He then asked Huckabee if Israel had a right to this vast territory. Huckabee’s direct response, “It would be fine if they took it all,” 

While he did clarify that Israel isn’t actively looking to expand its territory and simply has a right to security within the land it legitimately holds, his remark quickly sparked outrage. Neighboring Egypt and Jordan, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States, issued separate statements condemning Huckabee’s comments. They called his remarks “extremist,” “provocative,” and completely out of line with the official U.S. position. 

The bible doesn’t dictate territorial rights

Egypt’s foreign ministry went further, labeling the comments a “blatant violation” of international law and asserting that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands. The League of Arab States added that such “extremist and lacking any sound basis” statements only serve to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions. 

Israel’s borders have been a complex and shifting issue since its establishment in 1948. Its frontiers with Arab neighbors have changed significantly over the years due to wars, annexations, ceasefires, and peace agreements. 

In recent months, Israel has been actively working to deepen its control over the occupied West Bank. This has included a significant expansion of construction in Jewish settlements, the legalization of outposts, and various bureaucratic changes to its policies in the territory. Interestingly, President Trump has stated he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank and has given strong assurances he would block any such move.

For decades, Palestinians have advocated for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, a claim that is widely supported internationally. Huckabee himself has a long history of opposing the idea of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people, and thus advocating conflict. In an interview last year, he even expressed his disbelief in referring to the Arab descendants of people who had lived in British-controlled Palestine as “Palestinians.”

When Carlson pressed Huckabee specifically about the biblical interpretation of Genesis verses, Carlson noted that this would encompass the Levant, including Israel, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and even large parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Huckabee, however, seemed to dial back a bit, saying, “Not sure we’d go that far. I mean, it would be a big piece of land.”