On Sunday, February 22, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the heads of foreign ministries from 13 countries, as well as the secretariats of the OIC, the Arab League, and the GCC, issued a strong condemnation of the remarks made by Mike Huckabee, the US Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee stated that Israel's control over the entire Middle East could be "acceptable," which was perceived as a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter.
In a statement published by the Turkish foreign ministry, it is emphasized that such remarks pose a serious threat to security and stability in the region. Furthermore, they contradict the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, aimed at ending Israel's military actions in Gaza.
The document also highlights that the mentioned plan is based on the principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and emphasizes that any attempts to justify control over the territories of other countries undermine these goals and contribute to rising tensions.
The foreign ministers and secretaries-general of the countries that signed the statement reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian and other Arab territories. The joint statement expresses a resolute protest against the expansion of Israeli settlements and any threats to the sovereignty of Arab states.
The document also emphasizes that Israel's ongoing expansion and its illegal actions will only exacerbate conflicts and violence in the region, as well as undermine the chances for a peaceful resolution of the situation. It asserts the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state within the borders that existed before June 4, 1967. A call for an immediate cessation of provocative statements and actions is also included in the text.
It is worth noting that earlier Huckabee, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, expressed the opinion about the "biblical right" of Israel to the territory "from the Nile to the Euphrates," adding that it would be "wonderful" if they seized these lands. He also stated that theologically these territories belong to Israel, although the complete establishment of Israeli sovereignty in the near future is not expected, but from a faith perspective, these are "lands promised by God."
