Huckabee Rejects Carlson’s Allegation That Embassy Ignored Injured American

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee rejected Tucker Carlson’s allegation on October 29 that the American embassy had ignored an injured U.S. citizen. Huckabee published a chronology of consular contacts with the man’s son in Chicago, saying staff had repeatedly sought details that would let them reach the father directly. Carlson had alleged earlier that day that Israeli settlers severely beat the man. Huckabee wrote: “We have never been able to speak directly to the father.” According to his account, American Citizen Services received an email from the son on October 19 alleging an attack at his father’s home in Turmusaya and reporting his hospitalization at Istishari Hospital in Ramallah. Staff called the son and requested his father’s contact information, then followed up by email. Huckabee said the son did not supply it. The ambassador said staff sent another email on October 20, made two unanswered calls to the son and repeatedly tried the hospital without success. On October 21, the son reported surgery and said he would provide local relatives’ details. According to Huckabee, those details did not arrive. The son also sought assurances that relatives traveling from the United States could enter. Huckabee said staff spoke with the son again on October 22 and received an email thanking them for their assistance, along with medical reports and photographs of wounds. He described another unsuccessful hospital call on October 23 and an unanswered call to the son on October 26. The ambassador said a message requesting news of relatives’ arrival and their contact details had not received a response. His account disputes Carlson’s description of embassy assistance; it does not establish who attacked the man.