U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has sparked sharp criticism from Arab and Muslim nations after comments suggesting that Israel has a right to a significant portion of the Middle East. The remarks were made during a February 2026 interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, which aired on Friday.

During the interview, Carlson cited biblical promises to the descendants of Abraham, referencing land that spans much of the modern Middle East. When asked whether Israel had a right to that land, Huckabee responded, “It would be fine if they took it all,” while clarifying that Israel is not seeking to expand its territory and is primarily focused on ensuring security in the land it legitimately holds.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry swiftly condemned the comments, viewing them as an endorsement of expansionism that could destabilize the region and undermine ongoing normalization efforts under the Abraham Accords. Analysts noted that the statement comes amid heightened tensions in Gaza and broader fears of Israeli territorial ambitions.

The remarks have reignited discussions over the United States’ role in Middle East diplomacy, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding historical and religious claims to land. While Huckabee emphasized Israel’s legitimate security needs, his phrasing regarding biblical entitlement drew immediate and widespread regional backlash, reflecting the complex balance of diplomacy, historical narratives, and contemporary geopolitical concerns in the Middle East.