Rubio tells ambassadors to avoid inflammatory remarks after Huckabee sparks regional fury

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a memo to American ambassadors around the world, demanding that they not make comments that could “inflame regional audiences,” days after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked massive backlash in the Mideast and beyond for suggesting that Israel had a biblical right to much of the land in the region.

“Given rising tensions in the region, Chiefs of Mission and embassies at addressee posts must refrain from public statements, interviews, or social media activity that could in any way inflame regional audiences, prejudice sensitive political issues, or complicate US relationships,” states the cable obtained by the Guardian.

“Chiefs of Mission are expected to avoid all commentary on issues that could heighten tensions or create confusion about US policy. Discipline in public messaging is essential, especially at this time,” the memo adds.

Huckabee is not singled out by name in the cable, but the directive is widely interpreted in the administration as a rebuke of him, the Guardian says.

White House officials were reportedly concerned that Huckabee’s comments could even harm the ongoing negotiations with Iran.

“The president is starting to get pissed with Huckabee for interfering with his negotiation,” a person familiar with the matter tells the Guardian.

“And he hasn’t forgotten that his daughter refused to endorse him in the last campaign,” the source adds, taking a shot at Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

In an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson last week, Huckabee said “it would be fine” if Israel took over a large swath of the Middle East.

He added, however: “I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here today … they’re not asking to take it over.”