Tucker Carlson says he was “detained” in Israel after an interview with the U.S. ambassador, but his description sounds strikingly similar to my own uncomfortable experience at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, which cannot properly be characterized as a detention.

Tucker Carlson Says He Was “Detained” In Israel, But That Claim Doesn’t Seem To Hold Up

Tucker Carlson claims that Israeli authorities “detained” him and his staff at Ben Gurion International Airport following an interview with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. According to Carlson, officials took passports, separated members of his team, and questioned them about the interview before allowing them to depart.

But Israeli and U.S. officials have pushed back on the use of the word “detained,” characterizing the encounter as standard airport security procedures applied to travelers deemed sensitive or high risk. Huckabee himself said Carlson’s allegations were “Complete nonsense.”

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 18, 2026

A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.