Saudi Arabia has issued a formal condemnation of comments made by former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee during a recent interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, describing the remarks as unacceptable and misrepresentative of the Kingdom’s longstanding position on Palestinian statehood.

In the interview, Huckabee questioned the viability of establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank and suggested that regional actors, including Arab states, should assume greater responsibility for resolving the conflict.

He also appeared to downplay the prospect of a sovereign Palestinian entity under current geopolitical conditions, prompting swift reaction from Saudi officials.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Kingdom “categorically rejects” any suggestion that Palestinian self-determination could be dismissed or relocated, reiterating that a just and lasting peace must be based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along internationally recognised parameters.

Riyadh reaffirmed its support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and comprehensive regional stability.

The episode comes at a sensitive moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia has been engaged in discussions with international partners regarding security arrangements, regional integration and the conditions under which it would consider further normalisation steps with Israel.

Saudi officials have consistently maintained that progress toward Palestinian statehood remains a central pillar of their foreign policy framework.

Huckabee, a prominent Republican figure and vocal supporter of Israel, has long advocated positions aligned with Israeli security interests and sceptical of the two-state model.

His remarks in the Carlson interview drew criticism from several Arab commentators and diplomats, who argued that such statements risk undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts.

While Huckabee does not currently hold public office, the controversy underscores the sensitivity surrounding Middle East policy debates in Washington and beyond.

As regional tensions persist, statements by influential political figures continue to reverberate across diplomatic channels, shaping perceptions of US policy direction and its potential implications for stability in the Gulf and the wider region.