Former Fox News host turned conservative commentator Tucker Carlson claims Israeli airport security detained him and took a member of his team into an interrogation room following a trip to Tel Aviv to interview U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
According to reporting from the Daily Mail, Carlson traveled to Israel for a sit-down with Huckabee after the two sparred online over Israel’s treatment of Christians. Carlson, who has also criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, accepted Huckabee’s invitation to discuss their disagreements face-to-face.
But Carlson says the tension didn’t end with the interview.
At the airport before his return flight, he alleged that “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.”
The Daily Mail further reported that two sources familiar with the situation said Israeli officials initially did not want to allow Carlson into the country. That reportedly led to negotiations involving the U.S. State Department. Ultimately, according to a Channel 13 report cited by the outlet, Israeli authorities chose not to block Carlson’s entry to avoid what was described as a potential “diplomatic incident.”
Carlson’s relationship with Israel has drawn attention in recent years, particularly as divisions have widened within segments of the American right over support for the country. Some factions maintain traditional evangelical backing of Israel, while others have grown more critical of its policies, especially regarding Gaza.
Carlson has positioned himself among those more openly critical voices. He has also faced backlash for giving a platform to extremist figures, including Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. That decision sparked public disagreement within conservative circles, including tensions at the Heritage Foundation late last year.
Carlson has not indicated whether he plans to pursue any formal complaint over the alleged airport incident. Israeli officials have not publicly commented on his claims.
