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In February 2026, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee
sparked sharp international backlash after remarks suggesting that Israel
would be justified in claiming expansive territory across the Middle East
based on biblical scripture. During an interview with Tucker Carlson,
Huckabee was asked about the biblical description in Genesis of land
promised “from the Nile to the Euphrates.” He responded, “It would be fine
if they took it all,” a statement widely interpreted as endorsing a
maximalist territorial vision sometimes referred to as “Greater Israel.” The
geographic scope of that biblical passage extends well beyond Israel’s
internationally recognized borders and encompasses parts of modern-day
Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. The comments quickly
circulated internationally, drawing condemnation from Arab governments and
regional organizations that warned such rhetoric undermines sovereignty,
violates international law, and risks inflaming an already volatile region.
The controversy deepened when Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed
elements of the theological framing, saying, “I support anything that will
allow the Jews a large, broad, strong land and a safe haven for us … our
children and our children’s children,” and adding that “Zionism is based on
the Bible. Our mandate over the land of Israel is biblical.” Although Lapid
also referenced security and policy considerations, his remarks reinforced
critics' concerns that religious narratives were being invoked to legitimize
territorial expansion.
Facing mounting diplomatic pressure, Huckabee later sought to soften and
clarify his original statement. He described his comment as “somewhat of a
hyperbolic statement” and suggested that portions of the interview had been
edited in ways that heightened controversy. He emphasized that Israel was
not actively attempting to seize territory beyond its current borders and
that U.S. policy had not changed. American officials subsequently reiterated
that Washington remains committed to established diplomatic frameworks and
regional stability. Nonetheless, the episode highlighted how even rhetorical
endorsements of expansionist interpretations—particularly from a sitting
U.S. ambassador—can reverberate across alliances, complicate American
diplomatic positioning, and intensify regional anxieties about the future
direction of U.S.–Israel policy.
Tucker Confronts Mike Huckabee on America’s Toxic Relationship With Israel (Tucker Carlson YouTube, 2-21-26)
US ambassador's Israel comments condemned by Arab and Muslim nations (BBC, 2-22-26)
US envoy Huckabee tries to deny saying he would support Israel expansionism (Al Jazeera, 2-22-26)
Did Mike Huckabee Just Green-Light Israel to Invade Half the Levant? (The New Republic, 2-26-26)
Mike Huckabee lifts the veil on US backing for Israeli expansionism (Middle East Eye, 2-26-26)
Israel’s opposition leader voices support for ‘broad’ Middle East expansion (Al Jazeera, 2-24-26)
Israeli ‘liberal’ opposition leader agrees with Mike Huckabee that the bible gives Israel the right to land from Egypt to Iraq (Mondoweiss, 2-24-26)
Israel opposition leader backs ‘biblical borders’ and Jewish control over Middle East (Middle East Monitor, 2-26-26)