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Well-known American activist and commentator Tucker Carlson has been spotted posing for pictures with staff at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Israel this week, raising questions about whether he was actually detained at the Israeli airport on Wednesday. Videos shared on social media, and by the NY Post, show Carlson posing for photos with airport staff, while he has also claimed ‘detainment’.
This raises the question of whether his detainment was true, after it was suggested that Carlson was seemingly refusing to leave the airport. Carlson was in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, February 18, to meet with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee for an arranged interview. Carlson is a well kinown crtici of Israel and antisemitic conspiracy theories.
Touchdown At Ben Gurion
Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is the main gateway for travel into Israel, and Carlson has claimed that on arrival him and his executive producer were taken into a side room, where they were ordered to reveal their purpose of the trip, and what they planned to speak with Huckabee about. This led to Carlson asserting that he had been detained.
Following this claim, OliLondonTV has shared that Carlson was seen posing for photos with staff at the Israeli airport, with two individuals embracing Carlson near the X-ray baggage scanner. The Ambassador has suggested that this was not a detainment, but just a routine customs check.
As relayed by the NY Post, it is evident that Carlson was required to complete a form on the table in the baggage claim hall, where he was then asked for a photo by airport staff. After taking these pictures, Carlson collected his coat and then followed the staffer into a side room.
Rejected The Narrative Of Detainment
Follwing Carsons claim of detainment, the Israeli Airport Authority quickly rejected the narrative that Carlson was detained, and the IAA shared a statement noting that “Mr. Carlson and his party were politely asked a few routing questions, in accordance with standard procedures applied to many travelers.”
The IAA has also explained that the decision to move Carlson into what is being called the ‘VIP Lounge’ was to conduct these stand questions for the protection and privacy of the American activist and commentator. The Former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, has come out swinging at Carlson following the claims of detainment, calling him a liar.
Bennet has added that Carlon was a ‘phony’ and that he should not be thought of about Israel like he’s an expert on Israel. David Friedman, US Ambassador to Israel, has echoed Bennett’s sentiment. Friedman added on his X page, “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.”
13-Year-Old Stowaway Found On El Al Flight To New York
The teenager was spotted prior to the plane’s departure and removed from the flight before it could take off.
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Known in the Hebrew language as ‘Natbag’, Ben Gurion is the main international airport and port of entry for Israel. It is located approximately 28 miles (45 km) from Jerusalem, and 12 miles (20 km) southeast of Tel Aviv. It is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East, with more than 14.5 million passengers passing through it in 2024 according to the IAA.
Security is tight at TLV, with security operations taking place across several levels, including all cars, taxis, buses, and trucks being required to pass through a checkpoint before entering the airport compound, and armed guards spot-check vehicles frequently. Inside the airport, uniformed and plainclothed security officers are on constant patrol, and departing passengers are personally questioned by security before approaching check-in desks.
The airport welcomes most major European and Middle Eastern airlines, with Israeli carriers Arkia, EL AL, and Israir offering the largest networks by destinations served. The United States is connected to Israel by several airlines, including 
American Airlines (JFK – from March 31), Arkia (New York JFK), 
Delta Air Lines (Atlanta – from April 15, Boston, from October 24, and currently to New York JFK), El Al (Boston, Fort Lauderdale – ending April 14, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, and Newark), and 
United Airlines (Chicago O’Hare, Newark and Washington Dulles).
