FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiThe principle of territorial integrity and the prohibition of forcible land acquisition constitute a foundation of international law since World War II, which the US ambassador appears to be trampling on with both feet.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson that Israel enjoys a "biblical right" over a vast territory in the Middle East.
He added that "it would be great if he took the whole thing," referring to biblical descriptions of Israel's borders.
During the podcast, Huckabee mentioned the area that stretches "from the Nile to the Euphrates."
Asked if this implies a contemporary claim over the entire region, he reiterated that such a scenario “would be very good,” but then clarified that he does not believe this is the real political objective.
The ambassador stressed that the modern state of Israel aims to live in peace within the territory where it currently exists and that it is not seeking to take control of Jordan, Syria, Iraq or other neighboring countries. He argued that the security of the Israeli population remains the priority.
Huckabee's statements link religious references to issues of sovereignty and state borders, at a time when the conflict in Gaza continues and tensions in the region remain high. His comments add to the debate over the US administration's stance and the US role in Middle East developments.
The American envoy, an avowed Christian Zionist and strong supporter of Israel, later appeared to partially retract his statement, saying it "was somewhat of an exaggerated statement."
However, he left open the possibility of Israel's territorial expansion, relying on his religious interpretation.
“If they end up getting attacked by all these countries, and they win that war, and they take that land, okay, that’s a whole other issue for discussion,” Huckabee said.
The State Department did not respond to Al Jazeera's request for comment on whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares the same views as Huckabee on Israel's right to expand.
The principle of territorial integrity and the prohibition of forcible land acquisition have been a cornerstone of international law since World War II.
In 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and must end immediately.
Israeli law does not clearly define state borders. Israel also occupies the Golan Heights in Syria, which it illegally annexed in 1981.
The United States remains the only country that recognizes Israel's claimed sovereignty over this Syrian territory.
After the 2024 war with Hezbollah, Israel set up military posts at five points within Lebanese territory.
Some Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have openly promoted the idea of a "Greater Israel" with expanded borders.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich caused a strong international backlash in 2023 when he spoke at an event where a map was displayed that included the Palestinian territories and parts of Lebanon, Syria and Jordan as part of Israel, against a background of the colors of the Israeli flag.
In his interview with Carlson, Huckabee argued that Israel's right to exist is based on international law, but he criticized the institutions that oversee it for their stances on Israeli violations.
“One of the reasons I am so grateful that President Trump and Secretary Rubio are pushing hard, trying to get rid of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice, is because they have become unaccountable organizations that are no longer concerned with the equal application of the law,” he said.
Beyond his stated religious commitment to Israel, Huckabee has faced criticism for failing to act on the rights of American citizens who have been killed or imprisoned by Israeli forces during his tenure as ambassador.
Last year, he also provoked reactions from some conservatives in the US when he met with Jonathan Pollard, a convicted spy who sold US intelligence secrets to the Israeli government, which then ended up in the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Pollard, a former civilian analyst in the US Navy, served 30 years in prison and moved to Israel in 2020 after his release. He has expressed no remorse for his actions and in 2021 called on Jewish employees in US security agencies to spy for Israel.
Huckabee stated that he disagreed with Pollard's views, but denied having hosted him as a guest, emphasizing that the meeting took place at the US embassy in Jerusalem.
Asked if anyone could enter the embassy to meet with the envoy, Huckabee acknowledged that such a meeting requires prior approval.
"He was able to come to the American embassy for a meeting at his request. I made that meeting and, frankly, I don't regret it," Huckabee said.
“I have met many people during my time here and I will meet many more.”
Ky eshte ekstremist fetar. Zaten, USA nuk kane mberritur rastesisht ne kete pike budallalliku
Çifut edhe ky, sa jane shtuar kudo i gjen.
Asnje ndryshim nga Hitleri!
Topi eshte i imi penalltine e gjuaj une. Por asnje nuk ha bar,pmvarsisht se ky biçim ambasadori po ha mut!
Hukari ambasadori,FATKEQSISHT I SHBA-se,perfaqeson SUPER BOLEN,IDIOTIN e vetdeklaruar DONALD TRAP. Botes do t’i duhen 40 vite me riparu demet qe po ban superpresileshi i USA-se.
Erdhi koha kur Boten po e SUNDOJNE IDIOTET,