On February 22, 2026, a coalition of more than a dozen Arab and Muslim governments issued a scathing joint statement condemning U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The diplomatic backlash follows an interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, in which Huckabee suggested that Israel would be biblically justified in occupying a vast stretch of the Middle East. While Huckabee later characterized his comments as “hyperbolic” and clarified that Israel only seeks to secure its currently held lands, the remarks have sparked deep concern over potential annexation plans for the West Bank.
Pakistan and a group of Arab and Muslim countries have strongly condemned remarks by the United States Ambassador to Israel, suggesting it would be acceptable for Israel to exercise control over territories belonging to Arab states, including the occupied West Bank.…
— Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) February 22, 2026
The joint statement, signed by nations including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, labeled the comments “dangerous and inflammatory.” The signatory countries, along with organizations like the Arab League and the OIC, argued that such rhetoric violates international law and directly contradicts President Donald Trump’s stated goals for a comprehensive settlement in Gaza. They reaffirmed that Israel holds no sovereignty over Occupied Palestinian Territories and categorically rejected any attempt to annex the West Bank or threaten the sovereignty of neighboring Arab states.
This diplomatic crisis comes at a delicate time for U.S. foreign policy in the region. Critics argue that the ambassador’s views undermine the “political horizon” required for a Palestinian state, a key pillar of regional stability efforts. As tensions rise, the UAE foreign ministry reiterated that the international community remains firmly opposed to settlement expansion and any forced geographical changes in the Middle East.
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