U.S. officials have reportedly moved to reassure Arab governments after Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s remarks suggesting Israel had a biblical right to a broad region “from the Nile to the Euphrates” triggered strong backlash across the Middle East.
According to Politico, citing U.S. officials, Washington told regional capitals the comments reflected Huckabee’s personal views and did not signal a policy shift.
The controversy followed Huckabee’s interview with Tucker Carlson, in which he referred to biblical claims while discussing Israel and the region.
Huckabee responded to a question about interpretations by some Christian Zionist circles of biblical promises granting land “from the Nile to the Euphrates” to the Israelites by saying, “If they take all of it, that’s fine.”
His comments drew condemnation from Arab and Muslim-majority countries, including Türkiye, as well as regional bodies.
In response to the backlash, the U.S. Embassy in Israel said Huckabee’s remarks had been taken out of context and stressed that there had been no change in official U.S. policy.
A joint statement by countries and organizations condemning the remarks described them as inflammatory and warned they could undermine regional stability and efforts toward a political settlement.
The episode has added fresh tension to an already fragile regional environment, as Washington seeks to prevent further escalation while maintaining good diplomatic ties with Arab partners.
