US ambassador says it would be ‘fine’ if Israel takes all Middle East land

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has said that Israel could claim the entire Middle East—or at least a large portion of it—based on a "biblical right".

Huckabee, a former Baptist minister and staunch supporter of Israel, made the remarks while speaking to podcaster Tucker Carlson.

Carlson asked the envoy about a biblical verse that some interpret as granting Israel entitlement to land stretching from the Nile in Egypt to the Euphrates in Syria and Iraq.

In response to Carlson’s questions, Huckabee said: “It would be fine if they took it all.” When pressed further, he added that Israel was “not asking to take all of that,” describing his comment as “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement.”

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry issued a statement condemning Huckabee’s comments, calling them “irresponsible” and in violation of international law.

“The Kingdom affirms its categorical rejection of these irresponsible remarks, which constitute a violation of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and established diplomatic norms,” the ministry said.

“Such statements set a dangerous precedent, particularly as they were issued by a US official, and reflect a disregard for the distinguished relations between the countries of the region and the United States of America.”