TEL AVIV: US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson said he and his team were briefly detained by Israeli airport authorities on Wednesday after conducting an interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Carlson travelled to Tel Aviv for a meeting with Huckabee following an online exchange between the two over Israel’s treatment of Christians. The former Fox News host, who has also criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza, accepted Huckabee’s public invitation for a face-to-face discussion.
Last year at a podcast, Tucker called Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, an enemy of the civilization.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Carlson claimed that shortly after the interview, airport security officials confiscated their passports and escorted his executive producer to a separate room for questioning.
He said security personnel asked about the content of the discussion with the ambassador. Carlson later added that his team had since left the country, describing the incident as unusual.
Before the interview, Carlson posted a photograph on social media platform X showing himself and business partner Neil Patel at Ben Gurion Airport with the caption, “Greetings from Israel.”
According to two unnamed sources cited by the Daily Mail, Israeli authorities had initially considered denying Carlson entry, prompting discussions involving the US State Department. A report by Channel 13 said Israel ultimately allowed him to enter to avoid what officials described as a potential diplomatic issue.
However, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Israel rejected claims that Carlson had been detained. The spokesperson said he underwent standard passport control procedures similar to those experienced by other visitors, including diplomats.
The embassy also denied reports that Carlson’s entry had been restricted solely for the interview, stating that its only coordination with Israeli authorities concerned arrangements for his private aircraft. The spokesperson added that Carlson chose to remain in the country for only a few hours.
The Daily Mail reported that it had reached out to the White House and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for comment.