Carlson and Huckabees Interview May Be Wake-Up Call for Some Americans

February 22, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Carlson and Huckabees Interview May Be Wake-Up Call for Some Americans

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s recent interview with Tucker Carlson has sparked a significant reaction on social media. The conversation took place on Friday and has been widely discussed across the political spectrum in the United States.

Huckabee, who was confirmed as US ambassador to Israel in April 2025, had previously been welcomed by the Israeli government and pro-Israel groups upon his appointment. During the interview, he expressed strong support for Israel’s claims to the land, referring to the occupied West Bank as “Judea and Samaria”.

Huckabee also stated that Israel’s interests are equivalent to US interests, often using the phrase “we” to include both parties. He defended his meeting with Jonathan Pollard, a former American intelligence analyst convicted of spying on the US for Israel, and advocated for his early release from prison.

The ambassador also discussed the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza, suggesting that they are more careful about avoiding civilian casualties than the US military. When pressed for a reference point, Huckabee compared the number of civilians killed during the Israeli war on Gaza to those killed during modern urban wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Huckabee’s comments have raised questions about his primary loyalty, as he is not the only high-ranking official to express strong support for Israel. Other US politicians, including President Donald Trump and Senator Lindsey Graham, have also been vocal in their praise for Israel.

In recent years, there has been growing scrutiny of Israel’s influence on US politics from academics and scholars. However, this trend may be shifting as more officials begin to speak out about their views on the issue.

Source: Al Jazeera