By The Pak Global Pakistan:
Mike Huckabee, the United States ambassador to Israel, has sparked controversy by suggesting he would not oppose Israel expanding its territory to cover much of the Middle East, basing his view on the biblical promise of land to the descendants of Abraham.
In a recent interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, Huckabee referenced a biblical verse delineating Israel’s borders from the Euphrates River in Iraq to the Nile River in Egypt. This area includes modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia. When pressed by Carlson about whether he would support Israel’s claim to such an extensive area, Huckabee replied, “It would be fine if they took it all.” However, he later clarified that Israel does not currently seek to take over the entire region.
Huckabee, a well-known Christian Zionist appointed by former President Donald Trump, later described his statement as “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement,” but left open the possibility of Israeli expansion if Israel were to win a conflict and take control of additional land.
The US Department of State has not commented on whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares Huckabee’s views.
International law, which emphasizes territorial integrity and prohibits land acquisition by force, contradicts such expansive claims. In 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal. Furthermore, Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights in Syria in 1981 is recognized only by the US.
Following the 2024 conflict with Hezbollah, Israel established military outposts inside Lebanon, further escalating regional tensions. Some Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have expressed support for a “Greater Israel” concept, which includes Palestinian territories and parts of neighboring countries.
Huckabee, in his interview, criticized international legal bodies like the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, calling them “rogue organizations” due to their opposition to Israeli policies.
Beyond his political and religious advocacy, Huckabee has faced criticism for not addressing the rights of US citizens affected by Israeli actions. He also stirred controversy last year when he met with Jonathan Pollard, a convicted spy who passed US intelligence to Israel during the Cold War and later moved to Israel.
Huckabee defended the meeting, stating it was pre-approved and that he meets with many individuals during his tenure.
This development adds to the complex and sensitive geopolitical landscape surrounding Israel and its neighbors, raising questions about future stability and international diplomatic relations.