The internet lit up this week with claims that Tucker Carlson had been detained and interrogated in Israel after interviewing U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Within hours, social media was doing what it does best, turning a routine airport security story into an international incident.
According to an exclusive from the Daily Mail, Carlson said that after flying into Tel Aviv to interview Huckabee, he and his team were stopped at Ben Gurion Airport. Carlson reportedly told the outlet, “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.” He described the situation as “bizarre” and said, “We’re now out of the country.”
That quote alone was enough to send critics of Israel and critics of Carlson into their respective corners, ready to rumble.
But Ambassador Huckabee quickly poured cold water on the drama. Posting on X, he wrote, “EVERYONE who comes in/out of Israel (every country for that matter) has passports checked & routinely asked security questions.” He added, “Even ME going in/out with Diplomatic Passport & Diplomatic Visa.” In other words, welcome to international travel.
Thanks @EFischberger for a more accurate report. 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. https://t.co/UbblLiznMO
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 18, 2026
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also issued a statement contradicting the detention narrative. “Contrary to the reports, Tucker Carlson and his entourage were not detained, delayed, or interrogated,” the ministry said. “Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers.”
Israeli Airports Authority:
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…— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) February 18, 2026
Anyone who has traveled through Ben Gurion Airport knows that Israeli security takes its job seriously. The country has lived under constant threat for decades. Security interviews are standard practice. Travelers are often asked detailed questions about their purpose, contacts, and movements. It is not personal, it is policy.
Carlson was in Israel to conduct a sit down interview with Huckabee after the two had sparred publicly online about Israel and its treatment of Christians. Carlson has been critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, and Huckabee challenged him to discuss those concerns face to face. Carlson accepted.
The irony here is thick. A conservative commentator visits one of America’s closest allies, goes through what appears to be standard airport screening, and suddenly headlines suggest a diplomatic crisis. Meanwhile, the ambassador himself is saying this is normal procedure, and the Israeli government is flatly denying any detention or interrogation.
This episode says more about the modern media environment than it does about airport security. In a world where every inconvenience becomes a breaking news alert, routine questions can morph into allegations of political hostility.
At the end of the day, Carlson got his interview, left the country, and posted a photo from Israel. No jail cell, no diplomatic standoff, no international scandal. Just airport security doing what airport security does.