America’s Middle East envoy has stepped in to defuse a transatlantic diplomatic spat, praising Britain’s contribution to the Gaza ceasefire just hours after the US ambassador to Israel branded a British Cabinet minister’s similar claims as delusional.
Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, took to social media platform X on Monday morning to acknowledge what he termed Britain’s vital involvement in securing the fragile peace deal between Israel and Hamas. The intervention came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer prepared to join Mr Trump and other world leaders at a signing ceremony in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Writing ahead of the summit, Mr Witkoff stated he wanted to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that led to the historic agreement. He singled out National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell for praise, recognising his incredible input and tireless efforts.
The diplomatic praise followed a bruising 24 hours for the British Government, during which Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson faced fierce criticism from both American and Israeli officials for claiming Britain played a key role in the peace negotiations.
Transatlantic Tensions Erupt
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee dismissed Ms Phillipson’s Sunday television assertions as delusional, telling her she could thank Donald Trump anytime just to set the record straight. Mr Huckabee, who served on Mr Trump’s negotiating team for the ceasefire agreement, made his rebuke public by reposting clips of the minister’s Sky News interview.
Ms Phillipson had defended Britain’s contribution during an appearance on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, saying the country played a key role behind the scenes in shaping the agreement. When pressed on specifics, she described the diplomatic work as involving complex matters whilst acknowledging the critical role played by the American government.
Israel’s deputy foreign affairs minister joined the criticism. Sharren Haskel said she would have to contradict Ms Phillipson’s characterisation, accusing Britain of diminishing peace prospects by emboldening Hamas through its recognition of Palestinian statehood.
UK Recognition of Palestine Under Fire
Ms Haskel argued that Britain’s declaration of a Palestinian state during a sensitive negotiating period sent Hamas the message that continuing the war would lead to rewards. The UK joined France, Australia and Canada last month in confirming recognition of Palestinian statehood, a largely symbolic but historic move intended to preserve prospects for a two-state solution.
The Israeli minister suggested this decision, made whilst negotiating teams were already at the table, hardened Hamas’s position and delayed the ceasefire by months. Her criticism echoed earlier warnings from Mr Huckabee, who stated in August that European nations threatening to declare a Palestinian state were having counterproductive effects.
Powell’s Behind-the-Scenes Diplomacy
Jonathan Powell, who took up his post as National Security Adviser in December 2024, previously served as Downing Street Chief of Staff under Tony Blair and was the chief British negotiator during the Northern Ireland peace process. He shared an eight-point peace plan quietly drawn up by British diplomats among European nations last month, with 22 Arab nations subsequently signing a declaration mirroring its main goals at a United Nations conference.
The experienced negotiator has been travelling between Washington and Kyiv on separate diplomatic initiatives, employing what he learned in Northern Ireland about the importance of shuttle diplomacy and maintaining constant personal contact with key figures.
Downing Street declined to comment directly on Ambassador Huckabee’s remarks but indicated Ms Phillipson had praised President Trump and the US government during her television appearance. Sources close to the Prime Minister emphasised Sir Keir has consistently underlined Mr Trump’s key role throughout the process, publicly praising the president twice during a press conference in India last week.
Ceasefire Implementation Begins
The summit in Sharm El Sheikh, co-hosted by Mr Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, aims to secure momentum for the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has held since Friday. Under the first phase of the 20-point peace plan, remaining hostages held by Hamas are due to be returned to their families and Palestinian prisoners released.
Twenty hostages are believed to remain alive, 26 have been declared dead, whilst the fate of two remains unknown. The agreement follows Hamas’s assault on 7 October 2023, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 individuals taken hostage.
Israel’s subsequent military offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded nearly 170,000, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, which the United Nations and many independent experts consider to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
No British Boots on the Ground
Ms Phillipson confirmed the government has no plans to deploy British troops to Israel or Gaza as part of a stabilisation force monitoring the ceasefire. An international force comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries would be responsible for security inside the enclave, whilst the Israeli military continues to operate defensively from roughly 50 per cent of Gaza it still controls.
The US military will establish a multinational civil-military coordination centre in Israel, likely including forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Up to 200 American troops already based in the Middle East are being repositioned to help monitor the agreement.
President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he considered the conflict over, adding that people are tired of it. He expressed hopes of one day visiting Gaza, stating he would like to put his feet on the territory.
Aid and Reconstruction Efforts
Sir Keir is expected to announce a £20 million humanitarian aid package for Gaza at the summit, as Britain prepares to host a three-day conference on the territory’s recovery and reconstruction. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the ceasefire as an opportunity to scale up humanitarian efforts and plan for Gaza’s future.
Aid convoys have been gathering in Egypt to cross into Gaza after months of warnings from humanitarian organisations about famine conditions in parts of the territory. The Prime Minister is expected to call for swift progress towards phase two of the peace plan, drawing on lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process.
Former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair was reportedly poised to join a Board of Peace supervising governance in Gaza under proposals from Washington, though Hamas has indicated he would not be welcome in such a role. Ms Phillipson declined to comment on whether Sir Tony had consulted the current Prime Minister about his potential involvement.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel dismissed Sir Keir’s attendance at the Egypt summit as a photo opportunity, telling the BBC that Britain had no role whatsoever under the current government in reaching this momentous moment.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot defended Britain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, describing it as a moment of leadership and a responsibility to correct a century of historic injustices. He suggested the decision represented a turning point in the wheels of history.
The diplomatic tensions between London, Washington and Jerusalem underscore the delicate balance required as international partners attempt to transform the fragile ceasefire into lasting peace. With multiple stakeholders holding conflicting views on Britain’s contribution, Mr Witkoff’s public acknowledgement of UK involvement may prove crucial in maintaining unity among Western allies as the peace process moves forward.
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Image Credit:
Steve Witkoff — photo (May 2025), official White House photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian, public domain
