Iran and Muslim Nations Condemn US Envoy’s Support for ‘Greater ‘israel’ Plan
Iran, in conjunction with a number of Islamic and Arab nations and organizations, has strongly criticized remarks made by the U.S. ambassador to the occupied territories. The envoy's suggestion that Israel is entitled to expand its occupation into significant portions of West Asia has drawn widespread condemnation from these entities.
In the wake of Mike Huckabee’s recent interview remarks, there has been a wave of criticism. During the interview released on Friday, Huckabee suggested it would be acceptable for Israel to annex the territory spanning from Egypt’s Nile River to the Euphrates in Syria and Iraq.
In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Huckabee remarked, “It would be fine if they took it all,” in response to a question regarding the regime’s frequently stated ambition to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Huckabee invoked the biblical term “promised land” in an attempt to rationalize the regime’s expansionist aspirations. In contrast, Carlson highlighted that these lands are historically significant to the descendants of the Prophet Abraham, encompassing Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
In response to a question regarding Tel Aviv’s potential dominance over the entire West Asia area, Huckabee stated, “They have no intention of taking control. They’re not seeking to take control.” He further noted, “If they are attacked by surrounding regions, win the conflict, and subsequently acquire the territory, that’s a completely different conversation.”
The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, described Huckabee’s comments as a clear acknowledgment of the United States’ involvement in what he termed as the Israeli regime’s expansionist military efforts and colonial acts against Palestinians.
He further cautioned that the US envoy’s “extremist ideological rhetoric” could intensify the occupying regime’s determination to continue its atrocities and illegal actions against Palestinians, as well as its ongoing aggressions against regional nations.
In a unified rebuke, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, along with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Arab League, have denounced the remarks made by the US diplomat as “dangerous and inflammatory.”
In a joint statement, officials declared that Huckabee’s comments represent a blatant infringement of international law principles and the United Nations Charter, posing a serious risk to regional security and stability.
Authorities reiterated that Israel holds no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab regions.
In a cautionary statement, it was highlighted that Israel’s ongoing expansionist actions and illegal measures could potentially “escalate violence and conflict” in the region, thereby jeopardizing the chances for achieving peace.
They emphasized their dedication to the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and advocated for the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, along with a call for the termination of Israeli occupation of all Arab territories.
In recent developments, numerous Arab nations have independently expressed disapproval regarding the statements made by the US ambassador.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Huckabee’s remarks, labeling them as “provocative and unacceptable.” The ministry asserts that these statements amount to a direct call to “violate state sovereignty and offer support for the persistent occupation, ethnic cleansing, displacement, and expansionist strategies” aimed at the beleaguered nation.
Saudi Arabia has characterized the remarks made by the U.S. envoy as “reckless” and “irresponsible,” while Kuwait has condemned them as a “flagrant violation” of international law.
In response, Jordan criticized the comments, describing them as “an assault on the sovereignty of the countries in the region.” Similarly, Oman expressed concern, stating the remarks posed a threat to the prospects of regional stability.
In November 2024, following Trump’s announcement of Huckabee as the nominee for ambassador to the occupied territories, Huckabee expressed his endorsement of Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank.
In 2008, he controversially cast doubt on Palestinian identity, asserting that “there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian.”
