According to a report by Times of Israel, on Tuesday February 24, 2026, American diplomats are working overtime to calm Arab government concerns after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested during a television interview that Israeli control over vast Middle Eastern territories would be acceptable.
The State Department has initiated a series of calls to Arab nations that voiced displeasure over the ambassador’s remarks, stressing these represent Huckabee’s personal perspectives and do not signal any shift in Washington’s official Middle East policy, Politico reported based on information from three sources with knowledge of the diplomatic outreach.
The flashpoint occurred during Huckabee’s appearance with Tucker Carlson, the right-wing American political commentator, in an interview broadcast Friday. Carlson raised biblical references to Abrahamic descendants inheriting land covering substantial parts of the contemporary Middle East, questioning whether Israel possesses rights to such expansive territory.
In response, Huckabee stated it would be fine if they took it all, though he added that Israel harbors no ambitions for territorial expansion and maintains legitimate security rights over land it currently holds.
The ambassador’s comments created immediate diplomatic ripples across the Arab world, forcing State Department officials into emergency consultations with concerned governments. The episode demonstrates the precarious diplomatic tightrope the United States walks while maintaining alliances with Israel alongside relationships with Arab states.
Regional sensitivities regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty remain particularly acute given the Middle East’s complex history of border disputes, conflicts, and competing claims. Any suggestion of supporting territorial changes risks alienating key American partners in the region who depend on stability and respect for existing international boundaries.
Huckabee assumed his ambassadorial role in August 2025 following a career as Arkansas governor and prominent Baptist minister. His well-documented pro-Israel stance, including previous support for settlement activities in occupied territories, made his appointment noteworthy from the outset.
The current situation exemplifies challenges facing American diplomacy when individual officials make statements that diverge from established policy frameworks. While ambassadors often enjoy significant latitude in their roles, comments touching on sensitive geopolitical matters require careful calibration to avoid unintended consequences.
Arab governments have made clear through diplomatic channels their expectation that the United States honor its stated commitments regarding regional boundaries and conflict resolution mechanisms. The swift State Department response indicates recognition of how quickly such controversies can escalate without proper management……See More
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