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Turkish Reactions to US Ambassador's Statements on Israel: 'Horrific & Inhumane'

Published February 24, 2026, 09:09
Turkish Reactions to US Ambassador's Statements on Israel: 'Horrific & Inhumane'

Statements made by the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, have sparked strong reactions in Turkey and other Arab and Muslim countries. The ambassador reportedly asserted that Israel has a 'biblical right' to exercise control over Palestinian territories, including the West Bank. Turkey, through AKP party spokesperson Omer Celik, denounced the statements as 'horrific and inhumane,' accusing the ambassador of legitimizing violence against Palestinians and promoting an expansionist agenda. Celik emphasized the dangers of invoking theological arguments over international law for regional stability. He reiterated Turkey's stance in favor of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Ankara pledged to continue its support for the Palestinian cause. Beyond Turkey, the ambassador’s statements were condemned by 13 other countries, as well as organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. In a joint statement, they described the remarks as 'dangerous and inflammatory,' stressing that Israel does not have sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories. Ambassador Huckabee, known for his previous positions supporting a 'Greater Israel,' has maintained that Israel has a 'divine' or 'biblical right' to extensive territories, from the Nile to the Euphrates. These statements have drawn widespread condemnation and increased concerns about the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the need for respect for international law.