Leaked security footage debunks lying Tucker Carlson’s claim of being detained at Ben-Gurion Airport.

Israel Airports Authority confirmed that Carlson was "politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers" in a late Wednesday X/Twitter post. By Niriam Sela-Eitam. February 19, 2026.

Tucker Carlson was seen hugging and taking a photograph with a Ben-Gurion Airport employee, according to footage circulating on social media on Thursday, contradicting his claim to The Daily Mail that he was detained and hauled off by security.

In the video, he was seen smiling and hugging staff at the airport. He appeared to be unaccompanied, further contradicting his claims that he was travelling with security guards.

Sources confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that Carlson did not leave the airport during his visit and conducted the interview with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee there. He departed Israel around 3 p.m., concluding a trip that lasted only a few hours.

"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 discussed with Ambassador Huckabee," Carlson stated in his Wednesday interview with The Daily Mail.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Israel told The Daily Mail that Carlson's claims were inaccurate and clarified that he only received the same passport-control questions that many visitors to Israel encounter.

Israel Airports Authority further confirmed that Carlson was "politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers" in a late Wednesday X/Twitter post.

The questions were asked in a private, VIP lounge to protect his and his party's privacy, the authority said, adding that "no unusual incident occurred" and it rejects any such claims.

America-last Islam1st: Kookie-QatarLSon always lied about Israel..

Max 📟 @MaxNordau (Feb 19, 2026):

BREAKING: Tucker Smollett EXPOSED for lying about being “detained” by Israeli airport security.

It was a totally friendly interaction, and he asked the security officer to take a picture of him and his gimp!

What a fraud!

US embassy, Israel refute Carlson’s airport harassment claim.
“Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routine questions, in accordance with standard procedures,” the Israeli Airports Authority said.
David Isaac. (Feb. 19, 2026 / JNS)

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and the Israel Airports Authority refuted conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson’s claim that he received “bizarre” treatment at the hands of Israeli security during his recent visit to the Jewish state.

Carlson complained that he was questioned by security staff on Wednesday following his interview with Huckabee at Ben-Gurion International Airport, which came about after the ambassador had challenged him to an interview.

“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,” Carlson told Britain’s Daily Mail, which ran the story under the sensationalist headline: “Tucker Carlson ‘DETAINED’ in Israel: Journalist ‘dragged into interrogation room’ as explosive interview sparks diplomatic firestorm.”

The Israeli Airports Authority tweeted a response on Wednesday: “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 conversation took place in a separate room within the VIP lounge solely to protect their privacy and to avoid conducting such a discussion in public. No unusual incident occurred, and the Israel Airports Authority firmly rejects any other claims.”

Huckabee also weighed in, pointing out that Carlson was treated exactly like every visitor to Israel. “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,” the ambassador tweeted.

Carlson never left the airport during his brief visit. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman posted to X that Carlson had missed a golden opportunity to see important historic sites by restricting himself to Ben-Gurion Airport.

“Too bad Tucker stayed in the airport in the face of so many invitations to see so many wonderful places. A huge and obviously intentional missed opportunity,” Friedman wrote.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett blasted Carlson as a coward for staying at the airport while claiming to visit Israel, saying, “[He] didn’t even step foot in country, then made up a story that he’s being supposedly harassed by our security (didn’t happen), whined about it, got back into the private jet and flew off.”

Bennett: 'Chickenshit' Tucker Carlson landed in Israel, faked harassment, 'whined,' and left (JPost. 2/19/26).

Bennett argued that Carlson didn’t even set foot in the country, yet made up a story that he was harassed by Israeli security.

As a personal reflection on flying from Ben-Gurion airport back to Europe many years ago, I was late getting to the airport for my flight on Lufthansa.

I was asked why, and had a conversation both polite and pointed with an agent. The security was closed for than flight a little early, and basically I was booted. Within only minutes I was routed via a different carrier -- El Al -- to my destination, on a flight leaving about 90 minutes later.

In that time as in this, airport security is important. Period.

The noise by a talking head about his mistreatment is just noise, and clicks -- watch me, watch me and buy my merch -- does not impress.

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