The storm of condemnation swept across the Arab world on Saturday following remarks by US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, suggesting it would be “fine” if Israel were to annex the entire Middle East. The provocative statement, made during an interview on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” drew sharp rebukes from numerous Arab nations and regional organizations, highlighting deep concerns over international law and regional stability.
## Arab World Unites in Condemnation of Huckabee’s Remarks
Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman were among the countries that explicitly voiced their disapproval. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League also issued strong statements denouncing the envoy’s comments. These unified reactions underscore the gravity with which the Arab world views such pronouncements, seeing them as a direct challenge to sovereignty and a potential catalyst for further conflict. The central theme resonating from these condemnations is the perceived disregard for international norms and the sanctity of national borders.
### Jordan: “Irresponsible, Escalatory, and Absurd”
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the charge with a scathing assessment, describing Huckabee’s statements as “irresponsible, escalatory and absurd.” Ambassador Fuad Al-Majali, the ministry’s official spokesperson, vehemently rejected the remarks as provocative and a clear violation of diplomatic etiquette.
Al-Majali emphasized that these pronouncements constitute an assault on the sovereignty of the region’s countries and a flagrant breach of international law and the UN Charter. Furthermore, he pointed out the contradiction between Huckabee’s views and the official stance of the Trump administration, which has publicly rejected the annexation of the occupied West Bank.
### Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: “Reckless” and “Flagrant Violation”
Saudi Arabia echoed similar sentiments, labeling the statement as “reckless” and “irresponsible.” Kuwait, in its condemnation, termed the remarks a “flagrant violation of the principles of international law.” These descriptions highlight the wide consensus among Arab nations regarding the unacceptable nature of the ambassador’s comments.
### Oman: Threat to Regional Peace
Oman issued a stark warning, asserting that Huckabee’s comments “threatened the prospects for peace” and stability in the Middle East. This highlights the broader implications of such rhetoric, which can undermine ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in a region already grappling with complex challenges.
### Palestine: An Explicit Call for Infringement
The Palestinian foreign ministry characterized Huckabee’s remarks as an “explicit call to infringe on the sovereignty of states.” They further stated that these comments legitimize Israel’s actions related to the displacement and potential “extermination” of Palestinians, as well as the annexation of internationally recognized occupied territories. Under international law, an occupying power is explicitly prohibited from seizing land in occupied territories, a principle that Huckabee’s statements appear to disregard.
The Palestinian ministry urged the United States to adopt a “clear and explicit stance” on the matter, emphasizing that such rhetoric does not align with President Trump’s stated vision for a permanent peace in the Middle East.
### OIC and Arab League: Condemnation of Extremist Rhetoric
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the remarks as a “clear call to violate international law.” The OIC warned that “extremist ideological rhetoric would fuel extremism and encourage [Israel] to continue its illegal measures.” This points to a concern that such statements could embolden further actions that violate international mandates.
On the other hand, the Arab League stressed that Huckabee’s statements “violated all the basic principles and established norms of diplomacy, as well as defying logic and reason.” This highlights the sheer absurdity and detachment from diplomatic realities that characterized the ambassador’s commentary.
## The “Greater Israel” Project and Biblical Interpretations
Huckabee’s controversial statements on “The Tucker Carlson Show” stemmed from a discussion about the biblical text of Genesis 15. Carlson questioned the ambassador about the interpretation of this passage, which some believe implies a divine right to a vast territory stretching “from the Euphrates to the Nile.” This range would encompass significant portions of five current Arab countries, in addition to the Palestinian territories.
Carlson pressed Huckabee to clarify the specific borders implied by this interpretation. In response, Huckabee paused and stated, “It would be fine if they took it all.” These remarks directly touch upon the concept of “Greater Israel,” a political aspiration advocated by some Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Huckabee, a prominent leader within the pro-Israel evangelical Christian movement and a former evangelical pastor, has a long-standing interest in Israel. His views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are well-documented, having previously rejected the two-state solution in favor of what he termed an “aggressive interest in bringing Jews from around the world to the homeland” to ensure Israeli Jews do not become a minority.
The ambassador’s comments appear to disregard the complex geopolitical realities and the established principles of international law governing territorial claims and occupations. The strong and unified condemnation from the Arab world serves as a clear indicator of the deep-seated concerns and the potential for increased regional instability that such pronouncements can ignite. The international community now awaits a definitive response from the US administration regarding these inflammatory remarks.