Tucker Carlson Interrogated in Israel After Huckabee Interview

U.S. conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s brief visit to Israel has triggered a dispute, with Carlson saying Israeli security officials detained and questioned members of his team after he conducted a sit-down interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Wednesday.

Israeli authorities rejected the account, stating no detention or unusual incident occurred.

Conflicting Accounts Emerge

Carlson described what he characterized as an intrusive encounter following the interview. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said officials “took our passports” and “hauled our executive producer into a side room,” demanding details about the discussion with Huckabee.

“It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country,” Carlson said.

Israeli officials disputed that version. According to Israel Foreign Ministry, Israel Airports Authority stated: “Contrary to the reports, Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed, or interrogated.”

Authorities added that Carlson’s group was asked “a few routine questions” in a separate room within the VIP lounge “solely to protect their privacy.”

Ambassador Pushes Back

Huckabee publicly defended the screening process. “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel … has passports checked & routinely asked security questions,” he wrote, noting that the same procedures apply to diplomats.

The U.S. embassy in Israel echoed that explanation, saying Carlson received “the same passport control questions that countless visitors” undergo.

The disagreement centers less on whether questions occurred than on how they are interpreted. Carlson framed the interaction as a security intervention, while Israeli authorities portrayed it as standard border control practice.

Political Reactions Intensify

The episode quickly reverberated in Washington. Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote “American citizen and journalist Tucker Carlson detained in Israel after interviewing our U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. We won’t tolerate this. You just made it worse.”

Carlson’s stature within conservative media quickly magnified the fallout. His platform, which reaches millions of viewers, has consistently challenged aspects of U.S. foreign policy, including Washington’s approach to Israel and the broader Middle East.

He has also hosted a series of interviews examining claims about the treatment of Christian communities in Israel, often featuring guests from families rooted in the Holy Land. Those segments gained added visibility following Carlson’s recent public criticism of Israeli policies and his exchange with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

Against that backdrop, the episode acquired an immediate partisan edge, resonating particularly with younger Republican voters, a demographic increasingly divided over Middle East policy and America’s role in regional conflicts.

Security, Media, Diplomacy Collision

Israel’s security screening is among the world’s most stringent, particularly at Ben Gurion Airport. Routine questioning of travelers, including those in VIP lounges, is standard practice.

However, when applied to high-profile political commentators, even conventional procedures can carry diplomatic implications.

Carlson’s visit followed a public online exchange with Huckabee, during which Huckabee invited him to “come talk to me.” Carlson accepted, framing the trip as journalistic engagement.

The subsequent dispute over airport treatment transformed a media appearance into a broader conversation about state security protocols and political sensitivities.

Broader Context of Strain

The incident unfolded amid continuing debates within the Republican Party over U.S.-Israel relations, Washington’s military commitments, and the politics of foreign aid.

Carlson remains close to U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance despite policy disagreements, adding another layer of complexity to the reactions.

While Israeli authorities insist that “no unusual incident occurred,” the clash of narratives illustrates how security procedures, once largely bureaucratic, now operate under intense political and media scrutiny.