US embassy, Israel refute Carlson’s airport harassment claim

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and the Israel Airports Authority refuted conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson’s claim that he received “bizarre” treatment at the hands of Israeli security during his recent visit to the Jewish state.

Carlson complained that he was questioned by security staff on Wednesday following his interview with Huckabee at Ben-Gurion International Airport, which came about after the ambassador had challenged him to an interview.

“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,” Carlson told Britain’s Daily Mail, which ran the story under the sensationalist headline: “Tucker Carlson ‘DETAINED’ in Israel: Journalist ‘dragged into interrogation room’ as explosive interview sparks diplomatic firestorm.”

The Israeli Airports Authority tweeted a response on Wednesday: “Contrary to the reports, Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed or interrogated.

“Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers. The conversation took place in a separate room within the VIP lounge solely to protect their privacy and to avoid conducting such a discussion in public. No unusual incident occurred, and the Israel Airports Authority firmly rejects any other claims.”

Huckabee also weighed in, pointing out that Carlson was treated exactly like every visitor to Israel. “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions. Even ME going in/out with Diplomatic Passport & Diplomatic Visa,” the ambassador tweeted.

Carlson never left the airport during his brief visit. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman posted to X that Carlson had missed a golden opportunity to see important historic sites by restricting himself to Ben-Gurion Airport.

“Too bad Tucker stayed in the airport in the face of so many invitations to see so many wonderful places. A huge and obviously intentional missed opportunity,” Friedman wrote.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blasted Carlson as a coward for staying at the airport while claiming to visit Israel, saying, "[He] didn’t even step foot in country, then made up a story that he’s being supposedly harassed by our security (didn’t happen), whined about it, got back into the private jet and flew off.”