US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Proposes Land Cession for Palestinian State
In a controversial statement, the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, suggested that Muslim-majority countries should consider relinquishing parts of their territory to establish a Palestinian state. Huckabee highlighted the vast disparity in land size, noting that collectively, Muslim countries possess 644 times more land than Israel.
He remarked, "If there is genuine desire for a Palestinian state, perhaps some nation would be willing to host it." This view diverges sharply from the widely accepted international position advocating for a two-state solution, envisioning Israel and Palestine coexisting side by side with a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, and East Jerusalem as its capital.
Two-State Solution Viewed as Aspirational, Not Imminent
Describing the two-state solution as an "aspirational goal," Huckabee distanced himself from previous US policy frameworks. He later clarified in another interview that the US is not actively pursuing the creation of an independent Palestinian state. However, a State Department spokeswoman emphasized that Huckabee's comments were personal opinions and reaffirmed that US Middle East policy is set by the President.
Culture Shift Needed Before Palestinian Statehood
When asked if the US opposed a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Huckabee said he would not rule it out completely but asserted that a significant cultural transformation would be necessary first. "Currently, the prevailing culture condones targeting and killing Jews and rewards such acts, which must change," he said.
Israel’s Stance on Statehood and Territorial Control
Israel itself rejects setting statehood as a precondition for final status talks with Palestinians. The government insists that any agreement must emerge through direct negotiations. Huckabee has historically advocated for a "greater Israel," implicitly endorsing permanent Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian territories, referring to the West Bank by the biblical names "Judea and Samaria."
Criticism of Allies Over Sanctions on Israeli Ministers
Huckabee also voiced strong criticism of US allies, including the United Kingdom and Australia, for imposing sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers. These sanctions were issued due to alleged "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the occupied West Bank.
He questioned the rationale behind the sanctions, saying, "I have not yet heard a good reason why these two elected ministers have been sanctioned by countries that should respect Israel's sovereignty, especially when no criminal activity has been proven."
Background: Ongoing Conflict and Human Toll
The conflict intensified dramatically after Hamas launched attacks on Israel in October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of about 251 hostages. Currently, 56 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive.
Since the onset of the war, Palestinian casualties have been severe. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, at least 54,927 Palestinians have been killed. The United Nations reports that children account for more than a quarter of these fatalities.
