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February 19, 2026 – USA –
American political commentator Tucker Carlson, who operates an independent media platform after departing mainstream television, says he and members of his crew were briefly detained and questioned by Israeli security officials at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv following an interview with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Carlson publicly asserted that airport staff seized his passport and interrogated his executive producer about the content of their conversation with the ambassador before the group left Israel, sparking a diplomatic dispute over the episode.
According to Carlson’s account, published interviews and social media posts, “men who identified themselves as airport security” confiscated passports and escorted one of his team into a side room for questioning after the interview, which took place at the airport rather than in a formal studio. Carlson described the interaction as “bizarre” and framed it as focused on the topics discussed with Ambassador Huckabee, a prominent supporter of Israel. He said the group was then allowed to depart the country soon afterward.
However, Israeli authorities and the United States Embassy in Jerusalem rejected Carlson’s version of events. Statements from the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) and diplomatic sources described the encounter as a routine security and passport control process applied to travellers entering or leaving Israel, including high-profile visitors, and not as a formal detention or interrogation. The IAA said Carlson and his party were politely asked routine questions in a private area to respect their privacy and were not held against their will. Ambassador Huckabee himself also noted that standard passport checks apply to all travellers, including diplomats and visa holders.
The conflicting accounts come amid wider controversy over Carlson’s recent remarks about Israel and his reporting on Middle East issues. Critics have pointed out that video footage circulating online shows Carlson interacting amicably with airport staff following the passport control process, suggesting the incident may not have involved an official detention as claimed.
The episode highlights the sensitivities surrounding media coverage, political commentary, and security practices at international borders, particularly when high-profile figures challenge or critique official positions. As of the latest reports, Israeli officials maintain that no unusual detainment occurred and that Carlson’s experience reflected normal procedures, while Carlson stands by his account of events.
Reference –
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/02/18/764344/Israel-Tucker-Carlson-detained-airport
