14 countries, 3 regional blocs condemn US envoy remarks on Israeli territorial control

RIYADH — Fourteen countries and three regional organizations on Sunday condemned remarks by Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, who said “it would be acceptable for Israel to exercise control over territories belonging to Arab states, including the occupied West Bank.”In a joint statement, the foreign ministries of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Bahrain, Syria and the United Arab Emirates expressed “strong condemnation and profound concern” over the comments.The statement was also issued with the participation of the secretariats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council.The ministries described the remarks as “dangerous and inflammatory,” saying they constitute “a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations” and pose a threat to regional security and stability.They said the comments contradict the vision put forward by US President Donald Trump and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which they said is based on containing escalation and creating a political horizon for a comprehensive settlement that ensures the Palestinian people have their own independent state.The signatories said attempts “to legitimize control over the lands of others undermine these objectives, fuel tensions,” and amount to incitement rather than advancing peace.They reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory or any other occupied Arab lands, reiterating their rejection of any attempt to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, and opposing settlement expansion in the occupied territories.The statement warned that continuation of what it described as expansionist policies and unlawful measures would inflame violence and undermine prospects for peace.It called for an end to “incendiary statements” and reaffirmed support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the June 4, 1967 lines.Huckabee, named US ambassador to Israel in April 2025, made the remarks in an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, during which he defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and said, “It would be fine if they (Israel) took it all.”