British News Agency

Huckabee spoke in an interview published on Friday with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. Carlson said that according to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would inherit a large part of the Middle East, including areas that today cover parts of Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. Citing Genesis chapter 15, he asked Huckabee whether Israel has a right to these lands.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy said on Sunday that Huckabee’s remarks were taken out of context and that there has been no change in US policy toward Israel.

In the interview, Huckabee added: “They do not want to go back and take all of it, but at least want to reclaim the land they currently occupy, live on, legitimately own, and consider a safe haven for themselves.” He also said that Israel is not trying to take over Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, or Iraq, but is seeking to protect its own people.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian Authority, and various Arab governing bodies, Huckabee’s remarks were described as “dangerous and provocative” and said to endanger regional stability.