Saudi Arabia has taken a leading role in a coordinated diplomatic response by Arab and Muslim-majority countries following remarks by the United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, that were widely perceived as suggesting support for expansive Israeli claims over territory spanning much of the Middle East.

The backlash emerged after an interview aired in which Huckabee referenced biblical passages and said it “would be fine” if Israel took extensive land — comments that drew strong objections from capitals across the region, including Riyadh.

Arab states maintained that the remarks were destabilising and inconsistent with international law.

Official statements circulated by Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry and other governments emphasised that the excerpt being cited did not reflect established U.S. policy and called for clarification.

Analysts noted that the wording shared by regional governments was drawn from a truncated segment of the interview, omitting context in which Huckabee later characterised his own words as “somewhat hyperbolic” and said Israel was not seeking to annex neighbouring states but rather to protect its existing territory.

The United States Embassy in Israel responded that there had been misunderstanding and that the comments did not indicate any shift in the longstanding U.S. position on borders or territorial expansion.

Saudi Arabia, together with Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and others, participated in broad statements rejecting what they described as inflammatory language and emphasising that peace and stability must be grounded in recognised international norms.

Officials in Riyadh and allied capitals reiterated support for a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and voiced concern that rhetoric perceived as endorsing maximal territorial claims could undermine peace efforts.

While the episode has underscored sensitivities around U.S. diplomatic pronouncements, the broader strategic context remains defined by ongoing efforts among Gulf states to navigate complex regional challenges, including support for Palestinian rights and managing relations with both Washington and Jerusalem.