Tucker Carlson interrogated in Israel after US Ambassador interview

TEL AVIV - US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson claimed that Israeli security detained him and his team at Ben Gurion Airport, confiscating their passports after he interviewed US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. 

The incident unfolded on Wednesday, amid Carlson's public criticisms of Israel's treatment of Christians and US foreign policy support for its actions.​​

Carlson — the former Fox News host who now runs his own media platform — said in a statement that after conducting an interview with Huckabee in Tel Aviv, security personnel at Ben Gurion Airport detained him and his crew, confiscated their passports and questioned his executive producer about the content of the ambassador interview. 

Carlson described the episode as “bizarre” and said it underscored tensions surrounding his reporting inside the country.

“Our passports were taken, my producer pulled aside and interrogated about the interview,” Carlson said, maintaining that the interaction was unusual and uncomfortable. He left Israel shortly afterward. 

He conducted the interview following a highly publicized feud between Carlson and Ambassador Huckabee, which was sparked by Carlson’s critical videos about how Israel treats Christian communities — content that drew the ambassador’s response on social media and led to an agreement to conduct an interview. 

Flight data showed Carlson's private jet spent about three hours at the airport without him fully entering Israel.​

However, both Ambassador Huckabee and the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) rejected Carlson’s account, emphasizing that the encounter was part of standard security screening procedures for travelers entering or leaving the country. Huckabee stressed that Israel — like other nations — routinely checks passports and asks security questions, and that Carlson and his team were treated politely.

In a public statement, the IAA explained that the questions were asked in a private room within a VIP lounge “to protect their privacy,” and that no one was officially detained, delayed or denied entry. It said the process was no different from the normal customs and security protocols applied to many travelers.

Reports indicate Israel initially considered barring Carlson entry—prompting US State Department involvement—before allowing the interview to avert a diplomatic issue. Channel 13 noted the decision prioritized avoiding escalation.

Carlson’s recent Middle East reporting has been controversial. Since launching his independent media venture after leaving Fox News in 2023, he has sharply criticized Israel’s policies and engaged in debates about American support for the country, generating both support and condemnation from different political circles. Critics have accused him of amplifying far-right voices and hosting extremist guests, leading some watchdog groups to label him for promoting antisemitic content — accusations he and his supporters dispute as political disagreement rather than hate speech

A Trump ally known for challenging Israel's influence on US politics, including AIPAC lobbying and Gaza policies, Carlson posted from the airport beforehand, heightening scrutiny. 

The event reignites debates on press freedom, US-Israel ties under President Trump, and religious tensions in occupied territories, with Carlson framing it as retaliation for his critiques. Both sides left the airport without further incident, but the conflicting narratives have fueled online controversy.