US ambassador Mike Huckabee backs Israel’s right to expand across Middle East

2026-02-21 - 09:13

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Saturday that he would not oppose Israel extending its control over large areas of the Middle East. Huckabee was pressed on Israel’s potential geographical boundaries and cited a biblical verse, asserting that God had granted the land to the Israelis and that Israel had the right to occupy the region. Specifically, he mentioned that Israel could, in principle, extend its control from the Nile River to the Euphrates. He expressed these views during an interview with American analyst Tucker Carlson. Huckabee’s comments are likely to fuel debates over Israel’s territorial ambitions and raise concerns about the broader geopolitical implications for the Middle East, where the tensions remain high over borders, settlements and regional security. Experts note that this concept, associated with the so-called “Greater Israel” ideology, envisions territory stretching from Lebanon to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, and from the Mediterranean Sea to Iraq’s Euphrates region—a vision tied to extremist elements. Huckabee was appointed US ambassador to Israel last year by former President Donald Trump. His remarks come amid heightened international scrutiny over Israel’s recent actions in the West Bank. Last month, Israel declared certain lands in the West Bank as state property, prompting condemnation from nearly 100 countries and three major international and regional blocs. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on Israel to reverse the decision, describing it as “illegal” and a threat to regional stability. The international community has warned that unilateral measures affecting disputed territories could further destabilize an already fragile region. Trump unveils new strategy after Supreme Court overturns his tariff regime