U.S. Ambassador Suggests Muslim Nations Create Palestinian State

Ambassador Mike Huckabee's suggestion for Muslim countries to host a Palestinian state marks a significant departure from longstanding U.S. policy.

The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has stirred controversy by proposing that “Muslim countries” should establish a Palestinian state within their borders rather than in the traditionally recognized Palestinian territories. This viewpoint, if officially endorsed by the U.S. administration, signals a dramatic shift in American foreign policy regarding the Israel-Palestine issue, which has predominantly advocated for a two-state solution since the Oslo Accords in 1993.

In an interview with the BBC, Huckabee stated, “Muslim countries have 644 times the amount of land that are controlled by Israel,” questioning why a Palestinian state couldn't be established on land outside the current Israeli borders. The ambassador’s comments prompted immediate clarification from the State Department, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighting that Huckabee's opinions do not necessarily reflect official U.S. policy.

Furthermore, Huckabee expressed skepticism about the feasibility of a Palestinian state being created in the West Bank and Gaza, areas widely supported for Palestinian sovereignty by the international community. His previous remarks, made before his ambassadorship, suggested a belief that the concept of a Palestinian identity was flawed, though he asserted his commitment to uphold presidential policy once in office.

As the international landscape evolves, with discussions among G7 nations regarding Palestinian recognition taking shape and notable figures like French President Emmanuel Macron planning a U.N. conference on the matter, Huckabee's position could potentially influence forthcoming diplomatic efforts or exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region.