American Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has stirred controversy by suggesting that Muslim countries should establish a Palestinian state, marking a potential departure from the long-standing U.S. approach favoring a two-state solution.
U.S. Envoy Proposes Radical Shift in Palestinian Statehood Debate
U.S. Envoy Proposes Radical Shift in Palestinian Statehood Debate
Ambassador Mike Huckabee suggests Muslim nations should accommodate Palestinian state, challenging decades of U.S. foreign policy.
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, recently expressed in interviews that the responsibility for establishing a Palestinian state should fall on "Muslim countries," rather than on territories traditionally identified as belonging to the Palestinians. Huckabee's comments, if indicative of the U.S. administration’s stance, could signal a significant departure from past American foreign policy which has consistently supported a two-state solution aimed at achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
In a BBC interview, Huckabee asserted that Muslim nations possess "644 times the amount of land" compared to Israel, suggesting that they could offer significant territory for a new Palestinian state. “If there is such a desire for the Palestinian state, there would be someone who would say we’d like to host it, we’d like to create it,” he noted.
The longstanding U.S. foreign policy approach has advocated for a two-state solution, facilitating Palestinian sovereignty within the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. This framework has been upheld since the Oslo Accords were brokered in 1993, which were anticipated to lead both to Palestinian statehood and recognition of Israel’s need for security.
Huckabee raised eyebrows when he declared that establishing a state in the current territories claimed by Palestinians would be a significant issue, contradicting the U.S. commitment to the two-state dialogue. “I don’t think so,” he said when questioned about supporting such a declaration.
A State Department representative responded to Huckabee's statement by clarifying that his opinions do not reflect official U.S. policy. “I think he certainly speaks for himself,” said spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. She emphasized that for a definitive stance on American policy concerning this issue, inquiries should be directed to the White House.
Despite no recognition of Palestinian statehood from the Group of Seven industrialized nations, a majority of global countries and entities, totaling around 146, support Palestinian independence in the West Bank and Gaza. France and the United Kingdom have recently engaged in dialogue about potentially recognizing a Palestinian state.
In a forthcoming development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will jointly preside over a U.N. conference aimed at exploring the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Huckabee, known for his controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, previously stated that he sees no legitimacy in the Palestinian identity. Nevertheless, upon his appointment as ambassador, Huckabee committed to implementing the policy of the President, distilling the complexities of his stance into his diplomatic role.
As the situation evolves, all eyes remain on how U.S. foreign policy will continue to shift under Huckabee’s assertion.
In a BBC interview, Huckabee asserted that Muslim nations possess "644 times the amount of land" compared to Israel, suggesting that they could offer significant territory for a new Palestinian state. “If there is such a desire for the Palestinian state, there would be someone who would say we’d like to host it, we’d like to create it,” he noted.
The longstanding U.S. foreign policy approach has advocated for a two-state solution, facilitating Palestinian sovereignty within the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. This framework has been upheld since the Oslo Accords were brokered in 1993, which were anticipated to lead both to Palestinian statehood and recognition of Israel’s need for security.
Huckabee raised eyebrows when he declared that establishing a state in the current territories claimed by Palestinians would be a significant issue, contradicting the U.S. commitment to the two-state dialogue. “I don’t think so,” he said when questioned about supporting such a declaration.
A State Department representative responded to Huckabee's statement by clarifying that his opinions do not reflect official U.S. policy. “I think he certainly speaks for himself,” said spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. She emphasized that for a definitive stance on American policy concerning this issue, inquiries should be directed to the White House.
Despite no recognition of Palestinian statehood from the Group of Seven industrialized nations, a majority of global countries and entities, totaling around 146, support Palestinian independence in the West Bank and Gaza. France and the United Kingdom have recently engaged in dialogue about potentially recognizing a Palestinian state.
In a forthcoming development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will jointly preside over a U.N. conference aimed at exploring the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Huckabee, known for his controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, previously stated that he sees no legitimacy in the Palestinian identity. Nevertheless, upon his appointment as ambassador, Huckabee committed to implementing the policy of the President, distilling the complexities of his stance into his diplomatic role.
As the situation evolves, all eyes remain on how U.S. foreign policy will continue to shift under Huckabee’s assertion.
