Bold claim: a leading US envoy suggests Israel should claim large portions of the Middle East, if not all of it. In a recent interview in Israel, Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel and a former Arkansas governor, told Tucker Carlson that Israel has a biblical right to seize the entire region — or at least a substantial stretch of it.
During the conversation, Carlson referenced a biblical promise to Abraham about land stretching from the wadi of Egypt to the Euphrates, enumerating the large list of ancient peoples. Carlson argued that this encompasses most of the modern Middle East, including the Levant, Jordan, Syria, and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Huckabee replied that it might not go that far, but it would still be a very large territory. He framed Israel as a nation chosen by God, with a specific land, people, and purpose. When pressed on whether Israel has a right to that land, Huckabee stated that it would be fine if Israel claimed it all.
The interview occurred amid a high-profile trip to Israel for Huckabee. Carlson’s visit has been controversial, with him claiming to have faced what he described as “bizarre” treatment at Ben Gurion Airport, a claim disputed by Israeli and US officials who said he underwent routine security questioning. Carlson’s stance has shifted in recent years, aligning closer to the fringes of the MAGA movement and casting doubt on ongoing US support for Israel.
Huckabee represents a more traditional pro-Israel conservative viewpoint in public discourse. Following Carlson’s airport remarks, former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett criticized Carlson, calling him a fraud and urging people to question his self-proclaimed expertise on Israel. In response on social media, Huckabee noted that standard security checks are routine for travelers entering or leaving any country. The Israel Airports Authority issued a statement denying any detention, delay, or interrogation of Carlson and his entourage.
This piece highlights a clash of perspectives on national boundaries, biblical interpretation, and policy. It also raises questions about how religious narratives influence geopolitical views and how media figures shape public opinion on sensitive topics. Do you think religious claims should influence state policy and borders, or should secular, international norms guide those decisions? Share your thoughts below.
