Tucker Carlson demands Mike Huckabee be fired after Ro Khanna alleges detention by Israeli settlers

WASHINGTON, DC: Conservative political podcaster Tucker Carlson on Saturday, July 11, called for US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to be removed from his post after the ambassador did not publicly comment on Rep Ro Khanna’s account of being detained during a visit to the occupied West Bank.

Carlson’s remarks came as Khanna also rejected reports that he declined to meet former Israeli hostages during his trip, accusing the Israeli government of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding his visit. The dispute unfolded amid renewed scrutiny of security conditions in the West Bank and US-Israel relations.

Carlson criticizes Huckabee after Khanna recounts detention

Carlson argued that "an American member of congress" had been threatened by individuals carrying "American rifles, backed by a foreign military paid for by American taxpayers," while accusing Huckabee of remaining silent.

“The US ambassador to that country says not a word in defense of his own countryman, and instead uses his social media accounts to promote his own vapid cable news appearances, which amount to propaganda for that same foreign country.”

Carlson then called for Huckabee should be removed from his post, writing, “It’s too much, too insulting and humiliating to America. This is how revolutions start. For the sake our nation, Mike Huckabee should be removed from his post immediately.”

His remarks followed reporting that the California Democrat's convoy was blocked by armed Israeli settlers while visiting the demolished Palestinian Bedouin village of Khirbet Zanuta in the occupied West Bank.

According to Khanna, the settlers prevented his group from leaving for more than an hour while shouting in Hebrew and Arabic and surrounding the vehicles. Khanna also alleged that members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later arrived, spoke with the settlers and repositioned a vehicle to continue blocking the road.

Khanna described the experience as one that highlighted conditions faced by Palestinians living under occupation. “Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes.”

Khanna rejects reports over hostages meeting 

Carlson's criticism also came as reports emerged claiming Khanna had declined invitations to meet former Israeli hostages and survivors of the October 7, 2023 attacks during his visit.

According to reports, Israeli officials had offered Khanna meetings with former hostages, Druze communities in the Golan Heights, border communities and briefings on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, but alleged that his office did not pursue the invitations.

Khanna disputed that account in a statement posted on X, accusing the Israeli government of attempting to shift attention away from the West Bank incident. “The Israeli government is lying to cover up for 4 IDF soldiers who aided violent settlers brandishing M4 guns and threatening American lives. I am calling for their arrest and prosecution.”

He also said the reports suggesting he had ignored Israeli hostages were inaccurate. “I have met with Israeli hostages and condemned the brutal attacks of Oct 7. That does excuse the IDF from detaining American citizens.”