14 Countries Condemn Mike Huckabee's Call That Israel 'Take It All' From Arab Lands

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s comment on Tucker Carlson that "It would be fine if they took it all" — referencing a biblical claim that Israel’s territory could extend from the Nile to the Euphrates — triggered a regional uproar and formal diplomatic condemnation from a coalition of Arab and Islamic states and regional organisations.

“- The article describes a pragmatic, primarily financial relationship between Israeli leaders and Christian Zionists — including influential Trump‑era figures such as Mike Pence and Mike Pompeo — despite the movement’s apocalyptic theology”

Al Jazeera

Multiple outlets report Huckabee made a "God‑given" or "biblical" claim and then softened his language.

Al Jazeera

The immediate effect was a rare, unified rebuke from 14 countries plus the OIC, Arab League and GCC, which called the remarks "dangerous," "inflammatory," and a violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Reports note the comment risks inflaming the Gaza war and undermining efforts toward a Palestinian state.

The joint statement — signed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Türkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, Indonesia and the State of Palestine alongside the OIC, Arab League and GCC — explicitly warned that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands.

It rejected annexation and settlement expansion and called Huckabee’s language a direct threat to regional security and to plans for a Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines.

Anadolu Ajansı

Several sources emphasise the statement’s legal framing, saying the remarks violate international law and the UN Charter and undermine UN principles and efforts toward a comprehensive peace.

Coverage highlights disagreements and factual ambiguities about Huckabee's role and record.

“Arab and Muslim governments have condemned remarks made by the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who suggested Israel would be justified in taking over a vast stretch of the Middle East on Biblical grounds”

BBC

Several outlets report Huckabee was already aligned with annexationist positions and opposed a two-state solution.

BBC, Eastleigh Voice and SSBCrack say he has long supported annexation and policies favourable to settlements.

Sources differ on the timing of his ambassadorial appointment: Anadolu reports he was named ambassador in April 2025, while Eastleigh Voice and SSBCrack report an earlier appointment in November 2024.

This contradiction in the timeline across sources is not resolved in the media snippets provided.

Huckabee later posted clarifications on X about other topics but did not directly retract the contested "take it all" phrasing.

Israeli Knesset speaker Amir Ohana publicly defended his pro-Israel stance.

Sources place the row in the wider context of Christian Zionist influence, settlement expansion and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Al Jazeera outlines Christian Zionism’s theology and political activism backing settlements and policies that critics say entrench occupation.

Clarion India

BBC gives hard numbers on settlements and cites the ICJ’s 2024 ruling that they are illegal.

BBC also reports Gaza health authorities saying the offensive has killed over 72,000 Palestinians.

Anadolu and other regional outlets tie Huckabee’s language to Israeli politicians who promote a “Greater Israel” vision and warn that attempts to legitimise control over other lands fuel violence and jeopardise prospects for Palestinian self‑determination.