Trump administration races against time to calm Arab anger sparked by its ambassador's statements on 'Greater Israel'

International press reports revealed that the administration of US President Donald Trump is making intensive diplomatic efforts with several Arab countries, with the aim of containing the wave of anger sparked by the statements of the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Sources reported that Trump's team sought to clarify the administration's position after Huckabee's talk about the concept of 'Greater Israel' and its supposed control over vast areas in the Middle East.

The American moves included a series of direct contacts with high-ranking Arab officials to clarify what was stated in Huckabee's interview with journalist Tucker Carlson. American officials tried to emphasize that these statements do not necessarily reflect a fundamental shift in US foreign policy towards the region and the sovereignty of its states.

According to informed sources, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Alison Hooker participated in these efforts. These officials explained to the concerned countries that what Huckabee said expresses personal views stemming from his intellectual background, and does not represent the official position adopted by the White House.

Ambassador Huckabee had caused widespread controversy when he answered a question about Israel's right to control an area extending from 'the Nile to the Euphrates' according to certain interpretations. Huckabee said that 'it's fine if they take it all,' although he later indicated that Israel is not actually seeking to achieve that at the present time.

These statements sparked official condemnations from more than 12 Arab and Islamic governments, describing the position as dangerous and inciting sedition. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE considered these statements to contradict previous pledges made by the Trump administration regarding regional stability.

This crisis comes at a very sensitive time, as Washington is trying to rally the support of Arab countries for its plans related to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and securing the region. The administration also fears that these statements could hinder military and security cooperation with countries that host important American bases such as Qatar and Jordan.

Sources quoted a prominent Gulf diplomat as saying that such statements threaten to undermine strategic goals aimed at integrating Israel into the regional environment. The diplomat stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of Arab countries and not to prejudice it under any ideological or religious pretext.

For its part, the US Embassy in Israel tried to alleviate the severity of the crisis through a statement in which it claimed that the ambassador's statements were 'taken out of context.' Despite this, Huckabee continued to defend his position on social media platforms, criticizing media outlets that focused on his talk about Israeli expansion.

Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian, is known for his absolute and long-standing support for the settlement movement in the occupied West Bank. He is seen within international diplomatic circles as one of the most hardline and extremist voices in the Trump administration regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Officials in the US State Department, who requested anonymity, indicated internal divisions over the ambassador's statements. They confirmed that Huckabee's positions do not represent the ideal image of the American position, which tries to balance supporting Israel and maintaining Arab alliances.

The ambassador's statements directly contradict electoral and political promises made by Trump to Arab and Muslim leaders during his election campaign. Trump had affirmed on several occasions that he would work to prevent Israel's annexation of the West Bank to ensure opportunities for achieving lasting peace in the region.

Observers believe that this incident highlights the challenges facing the US administration in controlling the statements of its officials with strong ideological leanings. These positions cause diplomatic embarrassment that complicates the mission of US envoys in the Middle East who seek to build trust with regional partners.

In the absence of a direct official comment from the US State Department on press inquiries, questions remain about the extent of Huckabee's influence on actual decision-making. Arab capitals fear that these statements may be a test balloon for future policies that may be officially adopted.

Finally, the relationship between Washington and its Arab allies remains under scrutiny with the repetition of such controversial statements. The international community is monitoring the White House's ability to rein in extremist voices within its team to ensure that the region does not slide into further tension and sovereign conflicts.

The sovereignty of Arab states should not be underestimated, especially as we are attempting to create a unified Middle East that includes Israel.