seniorspectrumnewspaper – US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has suggested that Muslim-majority countries should consider giving up some of their land to create a future Palestinian state. Huckabee highlighted the significant disparity in land controlled by Muslim nations compared to Israel, stating that Muslim countries collectively have 644 times more land than Israel. He proposed that if there is genuine interest in establishing a Palestinian state, some Muslim countries might be willing to “host” it on their own territory instead of within the current borders disputed with Israel.
This suggestion challenges the long-standing international framework that envisions the Palestinian state within the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Huckabee’s remarks stirred controversy as they imply relocating Palestinian statehood away from the land Palestinians currently claim. He questioned why the Palestinian state must exist in the same territory that Israel occupies, pushing for a reevaluation of geographic assumptions behind the two-state solution.
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Huckabee Criticizes Western Sanctions Against Israeli Ministers
The ambassador sharply criticized recent sanctions imposed by Western countries on two far-right Israeli ministers. The UK, Norway, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand banned National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering their countries and froze their assets. These sanctions followed accusations of inciting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Huckabee condemned these moves as unjustified and called them “shocking.” He emphasized that the ministers had not committed any criminal acts and that the sanctions disregarded Israel’s sovereignty. The ambassador accused European states of imposing inappropriate measures amid ongoing conflict. He argued that such actions undermine Israel’s security and sovereignty rather than helping resolve tensions.
Reevaluating the Two-State Solution and US Policy Shift
Huckabee described the two-state solution as an “aspirational goal” rather than an actively pursued policy by the United States. In a separate Bloomberg interview, he indicated that the US no longer seeks an independent Palestinian state as an official objective. His statements mark a significant departure from decades of US support for Palestinian statehood alongside Israel.
The ambassador stressed that cultural change among Palestinians is necessary before statehood can be realized. He condemned the prevailing culture that he claims rewards violence against Jews, suggesting this mindset prevents progress toward peace. Huckabee’s position reflects a more cautious and security-focused US stance on Palestinian statehood under the current conditions.
Israel’s Rejection of Preconditioned Palestinian Statehood
Israel officially rejects the idea that Palestinian statehood should be a precondition for peace negotiations. The Israeli government insists that any final agreement must result from direct talks with the Palestinians rather than international pressure or imposed timelines. This approach aligns with Israel’s refusal to cede control over disputed territories without negotiated terms.
Huckabee’s past support for a “greater Israel” further complicates the debate. He uses the biblical terms “Judea and Samaria” for the West Bank, echoing positions common among Israeli ultranationalists who favor permanent Israeli sovereignty over these areas. Some in this camp advocate for the removal of Palestinians from these territories altogether, proposing relocation to other Muslim-majority countries.
Humanitarian Impact and Ongoing Conflict Context
The war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in heavy casualties and ongoing violence. More than 54,927 Palestinians have been reported killed by Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, with the UN noting that over a quarter of the dead are children. Israel suffered significant losses, including approximately 1,200 killed and 251 hostages taken by Hamas.
Currently, 56 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive. The conflict has intensified international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and efforts to find a resolution. However, Huckabee criticized an upcoming United Nations conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at laying out a roadmap for a Palestinian state. He called the timing “ill-timed and inappropriate,” arguing that peace efforts should not be imposed during active warfare.
His comments reflect deep divisions over how best to approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with differing views on geography, security, and diplomacy shaping the ongoing debate.
