"As world leaders arrived in Egypt on Monday to celebrate the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire deal and discuss the next steps, there was a curious note of disharmony between the US and the UK. Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, had appeared on the BBC on Sunday talking about the UK's key role in shaping the agreement only to be slapped down on X by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who called her delusional."
"Meanwhile Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli foreign minister, reposted a message by the former British military officer, Richard Kemp, saying: The British government played no role in the ceasefire agreement, except a negative one by encouraging Hamas to resist through recognition of a nonexistent Palestinian state'. By Monday morning, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was trying to undo the damage flagging the role played by Jonathan Powell, the UK's national security adviser."
A public spat emerged between US and UK officials during world leaders' arrival in Egypt to mark the Gaza ceasefire's first stage. Bridget Phillipson claimed a key UK role, prompting US ambassador Mike Huckabee to call her delusional on X. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar reposted Richard Kemp's criticism that the British government played no role except a negative one by recognising a nonexistent Palestinian state. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted Jonathan Powell's contribution while Downing Street declined to say if it had asked Witkoff to intervene. Government advisers acknowledge the US and Donald Trump drove the ceasefire but contend Britain contributed beyond expressions of concern.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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