Tuesday, February 24, 2026-Senior officials in the U.S. government are scrambling to contain fallout after controversial remarks by Mike Huckabee, the ambassador to Israel, sparked international outrage and concern among key Arab and Muslim governments.
In an interview, Huckabee suggested it “would be fine” if Israel had a right to control a broad swath of Middle Eastern territory, remarks that were widely condemned as dangerous and inflammatory by more than a dozen states including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE. The backlash has forced the administration to engage in active diplomacy to reassure regional partners that the statements do not reflect a shift in U.S. policy.
In response to the diplomatic storm, senior Trump administration officials — including figures from the State Department — have personally contacted Arab governments to clarify that Huckabee’s comments were his own views and not official U.S. policy.
They emphasized that Washington remains committed to existing positions on Israel and the broader peace process, including opposition to unilateral changes to recognized borders. According to officials involved in the outreach, the aim is to prevent further erosion of trust at a time when the U.S. is seeking cooperation on sensitive issues such as Gaza stabilization and broader regional security concerns.
The controversy has highlighted long‑standing tensions over American diplomacy in the Middle East, particularly around the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. While Huckabee later described his remark as “somewhat of a hyperbolic statement,” the initial interpretation fueled fears that U.S. support for Israel might extend far beyond internationally accepted boundaries.
The administration’s rapid damage control underscores how volatile commentary from high‑profile envoys can inflame regional sensitivities and complicate Washington’s broader policy goals in a deeply divided region.
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