U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee sparked backlash with remarks endorsing Israel’s biblical claim to vast Middle Eastern territory, later calling them hyperbolic.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said in a February 18, 2026, interview that Israel has a "biblical right" to territory from the Euphrates to the Nile, calling it acceptable if Israel controlled much of the Middle East, though he later called the comment "somewhat hyperbolic" and clarified Israel is not seeking such expansion. The remarks, rooted in Christian Zionism, drew international criticism and raised concerns about U.S. foreign policy influence, amid ongoing Israeli military presence in Lebanon and West Bank settlement growth. The interview occurred after Carlson and his team were detained by Israeli security, sparking debate over diplomatic protections.