Tucker Carlson Alleges Detention by Israeli Security Following Ambassador Huckabee Interview
Tel Aviv, Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
While President Trump reportedly urged him to de-escalate tensions, Tucker Carlson claims Israeli security detained and interrogated his team at Ben Gurion Airport regarding his interview with Ambassador Huckabee.
Allegations of Detention at Ben Gurion
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson stated that he and his staff were detained at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv following a meeting with a U.S. diplomat [1][5]. According to Carlson, individuals identifying themselves as airport security confiscated their passports and “hauled our executive producer into a side room,” demanding details regarding his conversation with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee [1][5]. This confrontation reportedly occurred shortly after Carlson concluded a filmed interview with the Ambassador, a meeting intended to address their public disagreements over the status of Christians in the region [4]. Carlson and his business partner, Neil Patel, have since departed Israel [1].
Conflicting Narratives and Diplomatic Context
Conflicting accounts have immediately emerged regarding the nature of the incident at the airport. While Carlson described a coercive interrogation, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Israel denied that he was detained, stating that the commentator received “the same positive treatment of any visitors to Israel” [5]. The Embassy clarified that their involvement was limited to coordinating his private plane to facilitate a seamless visit, noting that it was Carlson’s choice to remain at the airport for a few hours before departing around 15:00 [4][5]. However, reports suggest the Israeli government had initially hesitated to allow Carlson entry, ultimately relenting to prevent a “diplomatic incident” [1][5]. Former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman criticized the visit, suggesting Carlson intentionally missed opportunities to see the country by staying at the airport [1].
Political Pressure to “Turn Down the Temperature”
This diplomatic friction unfolds as President Donald Trump attempts to unify the Republican coalition regarding foreign policy. Sources indicate that President Trump has privately urged Carlson and other conservative figures to “turn down the temperature” on their rhetoric concerning Israel [2][3]. Former Fox News anchor Melissa Francis reported that the President is explicitly telling allies, “Let’s take this down,” viewing the Carlson-Huckabee meeting as a potential “pressure release valve” to shift the conflict from online escalation to public conversation [2]. Francis noted that Carlson had sought an invitation that signaled legitimacy, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly “not interested” in facilitating the visit [2].
The GOP Divide on Israel
The internal fissure within the GOP has widened since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, with a distinct split between traditional pro-Israel conservatives and a faction critical of the Israeli government [3]. Carlson has previously utilized his platform to criticize Israeli leadership, once referring to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as an “enemy of civilization” [3]. This rhetoric resonates with a specific demographic; polling data indicates that only 23% of Republicans between the ages of 18 and 44 believe the United States should increase support for Israel [3]. The Trump administration reportedly views these debates as a threat to the conservative coalition ahead of the midterms [1].
The Dispute Over Christian Demographics
The catalyst for Wednesday’s airport interview was a specific dispute regarding the Christian population in Israel. Earlier in February 2026, Carlson released content alleging the mistreatment of Christians in the country, claiming their numbers were “far fewer in absolute numbers” than in 1948 [4]. However, historical data contradicts this assertion, showing the Christian population has risen from approximately 34,000 in 1949 to around 185,000 by late 2025 [4]. This represents a growth of approximately 444.118 percent over that period, although their share of the total population has decreased due to faster growth rates among Jewish and Muslim demographics [4]. Ambassador Huckabee, confirmed by the Senate in 2025, had challenged Carlson to a face-to-face discussion after the commentator declared Huckabee’s conduct “shameful” [4].