U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee found himself in a tense back-and-forth with Tucker Carlson on Friday, as the host pressed him over his biblical references to the land of Israel and what those references mean in modern geopolitics.
Appearing on The Tucker Carlson Show, Huckabee was repeatedly questioned about his invocation of Scripture — specifically the Book of Genesis — and whether his theological beliefs imply support for Israel controlling territory stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Carlson noted that Genesis 15 describes a tract of land that extends well beyond the borders of modern-day Israel, encompassing what today would include parts of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestinian territories. The host referenced the concept sometimes described as “Greater Israel,” an idea understood by some to include land across several current Middle Eastern states.
“You have said it three times that God gave this land to this people,” Carlson said, pressing Huckabee to clarify exactly what land he meant. “So it is entirely fair for me with respect to ask what land are you talking about?”
Carlson pointed out that the biblical description he cited spans a large portion of the Middle East. “So God gave that land to his people, the Jews, or he didn’t,” Carlson said. “You’re saying he did. What does that mean? Does Israel have the right to that land?”
At one point, Carlson asked whether Huckabee was effectively describing Genesis as the “original deed.”
Huckabee paused before responding, “It would be fine if they took it all.” He quickly added, however, that he did not believe that was what the current conversation was about.
Carlson seized on the remark, asking whether Huckabee was suggesting it would be acceptable for Israel to take over neighboring countries such as Jordan. Huckabee immediately interjected, saying, “They don’t want to take it. They’re not asking to take it over.”
Carlson continued to argue that if Israel’s legitimacy is rooted in a theological promise, then the geographic scope of that promise matters. He suggested that, under such reasoning, Israel would have a right to claim a much larger territory.
Huckabee pushed back firmly. “I think you’re missing something because they’re not asking to go back to take all of that,” he said. Instead, he emphasized that Israel is seeking to maintain the land it currently occupies and considers a legitimate homeland and safe haven.
As the exchange intensified, Carlson suggested Huckabee had implied it would be “fine” if Israel took all of Syria or Lebanon. Huckabee clarified that his earlier comment was “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement,” and reiterated that he was not advocating territorial expansion.
“That’s really not exactly what I’m trying to say,” Huckabee explained. He stressed that Israel is not attempting to take over Jordan, Syria, Iraq, or any other country. “They do want to protect their people,” he said.
When Carlson again pressed him on the theological implications, Huckabee rejected the claim that he was arguing Israel has a moral right to seize other nations’ territory.
“No, I didn’t say that, Tuck,” Huckabee replied.
Instead, the ambassador brought the focus back to security and historical connection. “I’m simply saying that the people who live in Israel, I think, have a right to have security, have safety,” Huckabee said. He added that Israelis have a connection to the land stretching back 3,800 years and deserve the ability to live in peace.
The fiery exchange underscored the ongoing debate over how biblical beliefs intersect with modern foreign policy — and how far those interpretations should extend in today’s geopolitical landscape.
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