Mike Huckabee. (File photo: Getty Images)
US envoy claims Lebanon should “thank Israel” for cell phones, seedless watermelon
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
US Ambassador to ‘Israel’ Mike Huckabee has ignited a fresh round of diplomatic friction after saying that Lebanese citizens should show gratitude toward ‘Israel’ for everyday consumer technologies and agricultural products.
Speaking at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange during the Atlas Award 2026 ceremony, the American diplomat took aim at Lebanon, a country with which ‘Israel’ remains technically at war.
"They Should Say Thank You"
During his address highlighting the global impact of the ‘Israeli’ tech sector, Huckabee questioned the cross-border boycott of ‘Israeli’ goods and services, claiming that modern Lebanese life is fundamentally enabled by ‘Israeli’ innovation.
"I wonder if everyone in Lebanon understands that if there were no Israel, they wouldn't have a cell phone," Huckabee told the audience.
"I wonder if they understand that every time they use a USB, every time they use car navigation, every time they eat a cherry tomato or have a delicious bite of seedless watermelon... instead of saying 'I can't talk to those people,' they should step across the border, shake the hands, and say 'Thank you.'"
Ambassador Mike Huckabee: Everyone in Lebanon should be thanking Israel for making their lives easier by inventing cherry tomatoes. pic.twitter.com/mkBiENYktA
— Chris Menahan (@infolibnews) May 24, 2026
He added that Lebanese citizens should voice appreciation to ‘Israelis’ for "helping create some things that have made my life better and easier."
Context of Huckabee's Ambassadorship
Huckabee, a staunch evangelical and former Governor of Arkansas, assumed office as the 29th US Ambassador to ‘Israel’ following his appointment by President Donald Trump.
His tenure has been defined by a sequence of polarizing remarks that depart from traditional diplomatic neutrality in the region.
The envoy's latest comments come amid heightened friction across the Middle East. Over the course of his ambassadorship, Huckabee has:
Abandoned the Two-State Solution: Officially declared that the US is no longer pursuing an independent Palestinian state.
Stirred Regional Backlash: Sparked a major diplomatic uproar by stating during a media appearance that it "would be fine if [Israel] took it all," when questioned about biblical land claims extending across the Levant.
