Senior US officials reassure partners that ambassador’s biblical comments do not signal policy shift amid sensitive Gaza diplomacy.
Senior figures within the Trump administration have launched urgent diplomatic outreach to Arab governments following controversy surrounding remarks made by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
According to reports, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and additional officials contacted regional counterparts to clarify that Huckabee’s comments during a podcast interview reflected his personal views rather than an official shift in American policy.
The controversy stemmed from an appearance on the Tucker Carlson Show, where Huckabee referenced biblical descriptions of land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. During the discussion, he remarked that “it would be fine if they took it all,” while also emphasizing that Israel is not seeking control over the broader region and remains focused on safeguarding its citizens and the territories it currently administers.
An edited clip circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism from multiple governments. The US Embassy in Jerusalem stated that the ambassador’s remarks had been mischaracterized and lacked full context.
More than a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, issued a joint statement expressing concern and describing the comments as inconsistent with ongoing diplomatic efforts. Regional officials reportedly viewed the remarks as contradicting President Donald Trump’s publicly stated opposition to Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria.
The diplomatic fallout comes at a sensitive moment, as Washington seeks broader Arab and Muslim-majority cooperation regarding Gaza stabilization plans and regional integration initiatives involving Israel.
Officials familiar with the outreach indicated that the administration remains committed to its existing policy framework and that Huckabee’s remarks do not represent a formal change. Some regional diplomats reportedly warned that rhetoric touching on sovereignty could complicate delicate normalization efforts.
Huckabee later pushed back against media coverage of the interview, arguing that his comments were taken out of context and describing his initial phrasing as hyperbolic.
The episode underscores the high sensitivity of territorial and sovereignty issues in the Middle East, where even rhetorical flourishes can trigger diplomatic repercussions. Washington’s rapid engagement with regional capitals reflects an effort to prevent misunderstandings from undermining broader strategic cooperation.
