Tucker Carlson Detained in Israel Following Exclusive Mike Huckabee Interview: What Led to the Unexpected Hold-Up?

Tucker Carlson, a prominent figure in conservative podcasting, recently shared that he and his team faced detainment in Israel this past Wednesday. The incident followed an interview with Donald Trump’s former ambassador to the nation.

The ex-Fox News anchor arrived in Tel Aviv to engage in a discussion with Mike Huckabee. This meeting came after Huckabee challenged Carlson to address him directly, following a heated online debate regarding Israel’s treatment of Christians.

Known for his outspoken criticism of Israel’s military strategies in Gaza, Carlson accepted Huckabee’s invitation, eager to discuss the contentious topic face-to-face.

However, as tensions mounted with critics and pro-Israel supporters questioning Carlson’s brief stay and lack of exploration beyond the airport, he disclosed an unsettling turn of events. He stated that upon completing the interview, he encountered a less-than-welcoming reception in the country.

In an exclusive statement to the Daily Mail, Carlson revealed that Israeli authorities seized his passport and subjected his executive producer to a rigorous interrogation. This unexpected hostility marked an intense conclusion to his visit.

‘Men who identified themselves as airport security took our passports, hauled our executive producer into a side room and then demanded to know what we spoke to Ambassador Huckabee about,’ Carlson told the Daily Mail. 

‘It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country.’ 

Prior to the interview, Carlson posted a photo on X of himself and his business partner, Neil Patel, in front of Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday with the caption: ‘Greetings from Israel.’

Tucker Carlson says he and his staff were detained at Ben Gurion airport and interrogated by Israeli officials on Wednesday following an interview with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee

Carlson frequently criticizes Israel for its military actions in Gaza and treatment of Christians

Huckabee, who has known Carlson for over three decades and previously worked with him at Fox News, invited Carlson to Israel for a discussion over their differences

‘Too bad Tucker stayed in the airport in the face of so many invitations to see so many wonderful places. A huge and obviously intentional missed opportunity,’ taunted David Friedman, the former US ambassador to Israel during Trump’s first term.

Two sources familiar with the matter, however, told the Daily Mail that the Israeli government initially did not want to allow Carlson into the country, prompting a delicate negotiation involving the State Department.

The Israeli government decided to not bar Carlson from entering the country the visit in order to not cause a ‘diplomatic incident,’ according to a Channel 13 report. 

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House, State Department and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office for comment. 

Carlson accused Huckabee last week on his YouTube show of not ensuring proper protections for Christians in Israel. 

Huckabee, who has known Carlson for over three decades and previously worked with him at Fox News, responded by inviting him to Israel for a discussion.

‘Instead of talking about me, why don’t you come talk to me?’ Huckabee wrote on X. Carlson replied by welcoming the invitation before noting that they were working on setting up the interview. 

Israel’s popularity remains at an all-time low in the GOP among young Republican voters and Trump supporters. 

The Carlson-Huckabee event was reportedly an attempt by the Trump administration to prevent debates surrounding Israel from breaking the GOP’s conservative coalition ahead of the midterms. 

Carlson is a longtime supporter of Trump and ally of Vice President JD Vance

Carlson and his business partner Neil Patel at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday

Trump urged Carlson and others within the GOP to ease off internal fights with Republicans over Israel, according to former Fox News anchor Melissa Francis. 

‘Everybody’s looking for a way to turn down the temperature,’ Francis told the  Jerusalem Post. ‘President Trump is telling everyone, including Tucker, “Let’s take this down.”‘

Carlson is a longtime ally of Vice President JD Vance and speaks with Trump on a range of issues, including foreign policy. 

Last month, Carlson visited the White House twice and met with Trump in the Oval Office on at least one known occasion.