Jakarta –
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) criticized the statement by the United States (US) Ambassador to Israel, Mike Hucakbee, about Israel having rights to most of the Middle East (Middle East). Indonesia considers this statement to actually threaten security stability in the Middle East and the Gaza Strip.
This criticism was conveyed by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a joint statement with a number of Middle East countries. They emphasized that the US Ambassador’s statement was unacceptable.
“Expressing strong condemnation and deep concern regarding the statement made by the United States Ambassador to Israel, which indicated that it was acceptable for Israel to control territories belonging to Arab countries, including the occupied West Bank,” wrote the X account of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as seen, Sunday (22/2/2026).
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Indonesia emphasized that it strongly rejects the US Ambassador’s claim that Israel has the right to control most of the Middle East. Indonesia said the statement contradicted international law and the UN charter.
In this joint statement, Indonesia and the Middle East countries also said that Ambassador Mike’s statement was not in line with US President Donald Trump’s vision for peace efforts in Palestine. They said that efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza must be based on ensuring that Palestine has an independent state and tolerance for coexistence in the Middle East region.
“They underscored that the plan is based on the promotion of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and that statements seeking to legitimize control over other people’s lands undermine these goals, fuel tensions, and constitute incitement rather than advancing peace,” wrote the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Indonesia and Arab countries also emphasize that Israel does not have sovereignty over the Palestinian territory or other areas in the Middle East.
“These ministries reiterate that Israel has absolutely no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories or other occupied Arab territories. They reiterate their firm rejection of any attempt to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza Strip, their firm opposition to the expansion of settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, and their categorical rejection of any threat to the sovereignty of Arab countries,” wrote the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Statement by the US Ambassador to Israel
The statement by the United States (US) Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, about Israel having rights to most of the Middle East region drew criticism from Arab and Muslim countries. Huckabee’s remarks were deemed unacceptable.
Reporting from AP NewsSunday (22/2/2026), Huckabee made this statement in an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson which aired on Friday. Carlson said that according to the Bible, Abraham’s descendants would receive land that today essentially covers the entire Middle East. He then asked Huckabee whether Israel had rights to the land.
Huckabee replied ‘it doesn’t matter if they take it all’. But he added that Israel is not trying to expand its territory and has the right to security in the territory it legally controls.
See also Video: Palestine Condemns Israel Claims West Bank Land ‘Belongs to the State’: De Facto Annexation
(ygs/knv)
