Hearts & Minds: Trump wins the war of the peacemakers as Gaza Truce nears

Well, they can’t both be right, can they? Assuming the Israel and Hamas ceasefire goes ahead, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are each claiming it was down to them. Sometimes in comms, it can happen that two opponents insist something was due to their initiative. What played out when the breakthrough was announced provided a masterclass in messaging, in moving quickly and grabbing the moment, and in differing styles.

The White House was inching towards a deal for months. Recently, as it appeared they would land on the next President’s desk, Trump’s new Middle East envoy, Steven Witkoff, was brought into the meetings. The fact they then headed rapidly towards a conclusion enabled Trump to say his involvement was the clincher. As ever, Trump immediately reached for his comms weapon of choice, social media, deploying as well his favourite use of capital letters: “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signalled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” wrote the incoming President. Joe Biden meanwhile insisted the pact was following the “precise contours” of a plan he set out in May. “My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.”

The best judge is a neutral. Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, said Biden should be praised for continuing to push the talks despite repeated failures. But Trump’s recent threats to Hamas and his efforts through Witkoff to “cajole” Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu also deserve credit.

In part they were responding to a media that likes nothing more than setting one against the other. They were repeatedly asked who was responsible. This was a State Department spokesman: “The involvement of President-elect Trump’s team has been absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line.” Use of the word ‘critical’ was a gift to the Trump camp. The fact he went on to say it was ‘critical’ because the Biden administration’s term would soon end was ignored.

Biden was walking away from the White House podium when a reporter asked who would be credited in the history books for the ceasefire deal. He turned, smiled and said, “Is that a joke?” The answer, Joe is that you will be, as will Donald Trump.

Chris Blackhurst is one of the UK’s foremost business journalists. He was previously Editor of The Independent and City Editor of the Evening Standard.