US envoy Huckabee’s Israel land remarks spark regional furore across Nile–Euphrates corridor

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked widespread condemnation after stating that Area C of the West Bank is part of Israel, contradicting longstanding US policy and suggesting Israel could control lands extending from the Nile to the Euphrates, according to Middle East Eye and Zero Hedge. Huckabee made these remarks during an interview with Tucker Carlson, where he referenced biblical justification for Israel’s territorial claims, a stance that outraged regional governments.

More than a dozen Arab and Muslim nations, along with regional groups such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, and the Gulf Cooperation Council, issued coordinated condemnations. Dawn and France 24 report these states warned the comments threatened the sovereignty of neighboring countries, undermined international law, and jeopardized the two-state solution framework for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Saudi Arabia led the criticism, calling Huckabee’s vision reckless and inflammatory, as detailed by Zero Hedge and DW News. These governments stressed the importance of respecting existing borders and the Oslo Accords, under which Area C remains disputed territory pending final status negotiations, as highlighted by Middle East Eye.

Huckabee’s history as a former Arkansas governor and evangelical pastor known for supporting Israeli settlements adds context to his remarks, according to The Guardian. His invocation of biblical claims to justify territorial expansion fueled concerns over US diplomatic credibility and regional stability, with several news outlets emphasizing the risk of alienating key partners.

Observers will be closely watching how the Biden administration responds to these controversial assertions and whether they affect ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The incident raises urgent questions about US policy consistency and the potential impact on peace negotiations amid already fragile regional dynamics.