The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said Israel holds a biblical right to territory stretching from the Nile River to the Euphrates, remarks that drew condemnation from Jordan and renewed criticism over Washington’s approach to the conflict.
Huckabee made the comments in an interview with U.S. media personality Tucker Carlson, published on Friday, citing a Christian Zionist interpretation of the Book of Genesis. He said the United States should “bless Israel” to receive God’s blessing, and described Israelis as “God’s chosen people.”
Asked whether Israel had the right to claim land across much of the Middle East, including parts of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, Huckabee said he would not object if Israel took such territory, before adding that Israel was not seeking regional expansion and had previously returned land, including the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
During the interview, Huckabee defended Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and described the Israeli army as “the most moral military in the world,” a claim Carlson challenged during the exchange.
Huckabee also argued that Jews have maintained a continuous connection to the land for roughly 3,800 years and said those entitled to live there include people who identify with Jewish culture or convert to Judaism.
Jordan on Saturday condemned the remarks, calling them “provocative and irresponsible.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Fouad Al-Majali said the comments violated international law, diplomatic norms and the United Nations Charter.
He said the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip are occupied Palestinian territories under international law, and reiterated that a two-state solution remains the only path to a just and lasting peace.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.