Feb 23, 2026: Arab and Muslim-majority countries have strongly criticized remarks made by Mike Huckabee after he suggested in an interview that Israel could be justified in claiming extensive Middle Eastern territory on religious grounds.
The comments were made during an interview with Tucker Carlson, where the ambassador was questioned about interpretations of Biblical passages that were said to describe land stretching between the River Nile in Egypt and the Euphrates region in the Middle East.
Responding to the discussion, Huckabee stated that it “would be fine” if Israel expanded control over broader territory, though he later clarified that the remark was intended as a “hyperbolic” expression and that Israel was not pursuing such a claim. He emphasized that Israel’s primary objective is to maintain security over the land it currently occupies.
Regional Reaction
In response to the interview, more than a dozen governments and regional organizations issued a joint statement expressing concern over the remarks. The statement was coordinated through the United Arab Emirates and included signatories such as Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
The statement, also endorsed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, described the comments as dangerous and warned that such rhetoric could complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
The governments reaffirmed their position that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, and rejected any suggestion of territorial annexation or expansion of settlement activity.
Background of the Dispute
The West Bank issue remains one of the central points of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel has established settlements in the territory since capturing it during the 1967 Middle East war, and hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens now live in those areas alongside millions of Palestinians.
The international community, including a 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, considers the settlements illegal under international law, although Israeli authorities have disputed this interpretation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously rejected external rulings on the issue, arguing that Jewish communities in the region are historically and politically legitimate.
Ongoing Tensions
The controversy comes amid continued regional instability following the Gaza conflict triggered by the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas. Palestinian health authorities in Gaza have reported tens of thousands of deaths since the start of the Israeli military campaign, while international organizations continue to call for humanitarian protection and diplomatic negotiations.
Diplomatic efforts to reach a lasting political settlement remain uncertain as global and regional actors attempt to revive peace talks and address the humanitarian and security dimensions of the conflict.
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https://thereporter24.com/news/arab-and-muslim-nations-blast-us-envoy-s-remarks-on-israel-s-territorial-claims
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