US Ambassador's Narcissistic Remarks Spark Outrage: Lebanese Told to Thank Israel

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee’s remarks have sparked widespread anger and social media backlash after he demanded Lebanese citizens thank Israel for mobile phones, cherry tomatoes, and seedless watermelons, which he claimed were Israeli innovations. Huckabee made the comments during the ‘Atlas Award 2026’ event at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange about 10 days ago, prior to his trip to the United States. In his speech, quoted by Al Jazeera on 25 May 2026, he discussed what he termed Israel’s global technological influence. Controversy erupted when Huckabee targeted Lebanon, stating Lebanese people ‘would not have mobile phones were it not for Israel.’ He further claimed Lebanese should cross the border, shake hands with Israelis, and express gratitude each time they use modern technology or consume agricultural products such as cherry tomatoes and seedless watermelons. The remarks came amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, with continued airstrikes targeting civilian areas, bridges, and villages in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported 12 deaths and 74 injuries from Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours, bringing the cumulative toll since 2 March to 3,123 deaths and 9,506 injuries.