Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Israel “has a claim to the Middle East” during a televised interview, prompting official condemnations from the foreign ministries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican officials defended Huckabee’s right to express his view, emphasizing the United States’ historic support for Israel’s security; Rep. Jim Jordan argued that “America’s ally Israel deserves a strong voice in the conversation about regional stability” (Reuters).
The Republican National Committee issued a brief note stating that while individual opinions may vary, “the core partnership between the United States and Israel remains a cornerstone of American foreign policy” (Reuters).
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic leaders and progressive groups denounced Huckabee’s statement as a mischaracterization of Arab sovereignty and an endorsement of Israeli expansionism; Senator Tammy Baldwin said the comment “ignores the rights of Palestinians and the broader Arab world” (The Hill).
The Congressional Progressive Caucus released a statement calling the remarks “dangerous rhetoric that undermines U.S. credibility in the region” and urged the administration to reaffirm support for a two‑state solution (The Hill).
What the Numbers Show
A Pew Research Center survey from December 2025 found that 58% of Americans said the U.S. should continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself, while 42% said it should prioritize a negotiated two‑state solution. The Arab Barometer’s 2024 poll showed that 71% of respondents in the Arab world opposed any claim that Israel has a right to the broader Middle East (Pew Research Center).
The Bottom Line
The episode highlights a sharp divide in U.S. political discourse over Middle East policy, with progressive lawmakers emphasizing Palestinian rights and conservatives reinforcing the U.S.-Israel alliance; the Arab ministries’ condemnations add diplomatic pressure for Washington to balance its statements.