Saudi Arabia: The US State Department must clarify its position on the Huckabee proposal

Saudi Arabia: The US State Department must clarify its position on the Huckabee proposal

US State Department Urged to Clarify Stance on Huckabee’s Controversial Comments on Israeli Territorial Expansion

The U.S. State Department faces growing calls to clarify its position following remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who suggested it would be "fine" if Israel expanded across much of the Middle East, including territories claimed by Saudi Arabia and neighboring states. Huckabee, a vocal Christian Zionist, cited biblical justifications for Israel's "right" to land stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates—a region encompassing present-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. While he later described his comments as "hyperbolic," he left open the possibility of territorial gains through military conflict, stating, "If they end up getting attacked by all these places, and they win that war, and they take that land, OK, that's a whole other discussion".

The remarks have sparked diplomatic tensions, particularly with Saudi Arabia, which has long opposed Israeli expansionist ambitions. The proposed territorial claims directly conflict with Saudi Arabia's national sovereignty and its strategic interests in the region. Additionally, Huckabee's dismissal of international legal institutions— calling the ICC and ICJ "rogue organizations"—further complicates U.S. diplomatic credibility. In 2024, the ICJ ruled Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, a stance at odds with Huckabee's assertions.

Critics argue that Huckabee's comments risk undermining U.S. efforts to mediate Middle East peace talks and align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals, which include gradual normalization of relations with Israel. The State Department has not yet responded to inquiries about whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares Huckabee's views, leaving ambiguity about U.S. policy.

For investors and financial stakeholders, the situation highlights geopolitical risks in the region, particularly as Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states weigh strategic partnerships amid shifting alliances. The lack of clarity from U.S. officials could exacerbate market volatility in energy and defense sectors tied to Middle East dynamics.

As tensions persist, analysts emphasize the need for the State Department to formally address Huckabee's remarks to reaffirm U.S. commitments to international law and multilateral diplomacy—a step critical to maintaining trust with regional allies like Saudi Arabia.