Summary
Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, commented that it would be acceptable if Israel expanded its territory across much of the Middle East, based on a biblical interpretation. He clarified that this view was more of an exaggerated statement. The U.S. State Department did not comment on whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares Huckabee’s perspective.
Key Facts
- Mike Huckabee is the U.S. ambassador to Israel, appointed by President Donald Trump.
- Huckabee made comments about Israel potentially expanding across the Middle East, mentioning a biblical claim to the land.
- The idea of a "Greater Israel" includes areas like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia.
- Huckabee later called his statement hyperbolic, meaning exaggerated or not to be taken literally.
- The U.S. State Department did not respond to inquiries about Secretary of State Marco Rubio's stance on this issue.
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal in 2024.
- Israel annexed the Golan Heights from Syria in 1981, and the U.S. is the only country recognizing this claim.
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich previously promoted maps showing expanded Israeli borders.
