Sign in Subscribe
Ambassadors

UK's Role in Gaza Peace Deal Sparks Diplomatic Spat

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK's contribution to the Gaza peace deal, a key stage in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas, has been the subject of a diplomatic spat between the US and the UK. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called the UK's education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, "delusional" after she appeared on the BBC saying the UK had played a "key role" in shaping the agreement. However, government advisers claim the UK has done more than simply show its engagement with the region, pointing to the roles played by the UK's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK's education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, was referred to as "delusional" by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, after she said the UK had played a "key role" in shaping the Gaza peace deal.
  • Government advisers claim the UK has made a significant contribution to the peace process, pointing to the roles played by the UK's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
  • The prime minister's spokesperson said the UK has offered its full support for the peace efforts, including working behind the scenes with the US, Arab, and European nations to develop ideas and build consensus on the steps to deliver a plan for Gaza's future.
  • Officials point to the experience of Powell and Blair in piloting the Northern Ireland peace process, which they claim proved invaluable in bringing Israel and Hamas to the negotiating table.
  • The UK has committed £20m in aid towards the reconstruction of Gaza, and is leading a three-day summit at Wilton Park to discuss the issue.

Statistics:

  • The Gaza peace deal is a 20-point plan aimed at delivering a future for the region.
  • Point 13 of the plan deals with demilitarisation in Gaza, mirroring the importance of weapons decommissioning in the Good Friday agreement.
  • The Forum for Reconciliation and Peace, set up in Northern Ireland in 1994, is cited as an example of a similar interfaith dialogue process that is aimed at emphasising the benefits of peace.

Sources:

  • Nasser Nasser/AP
  • Bridget Phillipson, UK education secretary
  • Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel
  • Jonathan Powell, UK national security adviser
  • Tony Blair, former Prime Minister
  • Bronwen Maddox, director of the Chatham House thinktank
  • Downing Street

Read more