US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has publicly and sharply refuted a British minister's assertion that the United Kingdom was instrumental in diplomatic efforts to secure a truce in Gaza. The American diplomat took to the social media platform X to express his strong disagreement following comments made by a member of the UK government, reported The WP Times with reference to Х.
Earlier on Sunday, UK Education Minister Bridget Phillipson, speaking on Sky News, had stated that the British government had "played a key role behind the scenes in shaping" the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. Her remarks suggested a significant level of involvement from the UK in the sensitive negotiations that led to the recent halt in hostilities.
However, Ambassador Huckabee, responding to a video clip of Philipson’s interview, delivered a scathing dismissal of her statement. "I assure you, she is delusional," Huckabee wrote on X. He then went on to suggest an alternative figure deserving of recognition for the diplomatic success. "She can thank Donald Trump—just to set the record straight," the Ambassador added, explicitly crediting the former US President.
Huckabee's blunt counter-statement underscores a divergence in narratives regarding which international actors were most pivotal in achieving the delicate ceasefire arrangement. The public nature of the US Ambassador's critique highlights the competitive nature of international diplomacy and the political motivations often involved in claiming credit for successful peace efforts in highly contested regions like the Gaza Strip. The diplomatic spat puts a spotlight on the behind-the-scenes work and the various national interests interwoven with the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
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