Cairo, Egypt – Egypt, Jordan, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have strongly condemned recent statements attributed to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, regarding Israel’s potential control over territories in the Middle East. The diplomatic fallout underscores rising regional concerns over territorial claims and international law.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, February 21, 2026, denouncing Huckabee’s remarks, which suggested Israel has a rightful claim to lands belonging to Arab nations. According to CNN Arabic, the ministry described the statements as a “dangerous violation” of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Huckabee made the controversial comments during an interview with American media personality Tucker Carlson on Friday, February 20, 2026, asserting he “sees no problem with Israel taking the entire Middle East,” basing his claim on religious and “Torah-based right extending from the Nile to the Euphrates.”
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry stated, “The Republic of Egypt condemns the statements attributed to Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, in one of the talk shows, which included claims about Israel’s right to lands belonging to Arab countries, as it represents a blatant violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.”
Jordan echoed Egypt’s condemnation, with similar statements issued Saturday. Al Arabiya reported that both countries expressed surprise at the remarks, noting they contradict the vision presented by U.S. President Donald Trump and the 20 points related to ending the war in the Gaza Strip, as well as the peace conference held in Washington on February 19, 2026.
The Saudi Ministry also released a statement, as reported by CNN Arabic.
Egypt affirmed that there is no Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territories or other Arab lands, rejecting any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, as well as opposing settlement expansion in occupied Palestinian territory. Okaz reported that both Egypt and Jordan view Huckabee’s statements as fueling extremism.
The statements from Huckabee have also drawn criticism for appearing to contradict the Trump administration’s previous peace initiatives. The development underscores growing regional tensions and raises questions about the future of diplomatic efforts in the region.
