Tensions rise in the Middle East after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested Israel could control Arab territories, prompting strong condemnation from Arab and Islamic countries and regional organisations.
A coalition of 14 Arab and Islamic countries, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, condemned US Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s comments suggesting Israel could control Arab territories.
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The countries said the remarks were reckless, inflaming tensions and undermining peace efforts in the region.
Joint statement and condemnation
The foreign ministries of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine issued a joint statement together with the GCC, Arab League and OIC.
They expressed deep concern over Huckabee’s remarks, saying they threaten regional security and violate international law and the United Nations Charter.
The statement emphasised that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory or other Arab lands.
The countries called for an end to annexation plans and settlement expansion and reaffirmed support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the creation of an independent state along the 1967 borders.
Huckabee’s remarks and regional impact
Huckabee’s comments came during an interview where he suggested it would be acceptable for Israel to take control of lands claimed by Arab states, including the West Bank.
The countries warned the remarks could worsen tensions in an already volatile region and undermine efforts toward a two-state solution. Several states called on the US to clarify its official position and reaffirm its commitment to international law.
Diplomatic engagement
Separately, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al‑Thani spoke by phone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Qatar News Agency wrote on X.
They discussed efforts to de‑escalate tensions and support continued negotiations between the United States and Iran. The call highlights ongoing diplomatic engagement amid wider Middle East tensions.
The incident comes amid ongoing disputes over Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza and stalled peace negotiations. Regional leaders warned that remarks legitimising control over Arab lands only inflame violence and make peace harder to achieve.