Reuters
8:30pm 2/18: UPDATE.
77 WABC Radio was contacted by a source within the Consulate General of Israel regarding reports that Tucker Carlson was detained or interrogated during a recent visit.
In a statement sent to 77 WABC Radio, officials said:
“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.”
The Consulate described the interaction as routine and said standard procedures were followed.
4:30pm 2/18:
(Tel Aviv, Israel) – Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson says he and members of his team were detained and questioned by Israeli authorities Wednesday following an interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Carlson traveled to Tel Aviv for a sit-down with Huckabee after a public disagreement over Israel’s treatment of Christians and its military actions in Gaza. The former Fox News host, who has increasingly criticized Israel in recent months, accepted Huckabee’s invitation to discuss their differences face-to-face.
According to Carlson, the situation escalated shortly after the interview concluded at Ben Gurion Airport. “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 said. “It was bizarre. We’re now out of the country.”
Two sources familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail that Israeli officials were initially reluctant to allow Carlson into the country, leading to what was described as delicate coordination involving U.S. officials. Ultimately, Israeli authorities permitted his entry.
However, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Israel disputed Carlson’s characterization, saying he “received the same passport control questions that countless visitors to Israel receive as part of normal entrance and exit procedures.” The spokesperson added that Carlson “received the same positive treatment as any visitors to Israel” and denied that he was formally detained.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions within conservative circles over U.S. policy toward Israel. Huckabee, who has known Carlson for decades and previously worked with him at Fox News, invited him to Israel after Carlson criticized him publicly on his show. The meeting was reportedly seen by some as an effort to prevent divisions within the GOP ahead of upcoming elections.
Neither the White House nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office immediately commented on the episode.
Carlson said he and his team have since left Israel.
