Britain would speak German if Starmer was PM in Second World War, says Trump official
The broadside from Mike Huckabee came as the gulf between Washington and Europe over Gaza widened with Benjamin Netanyahu announcing Israel's plans to occupy the entire strip.
Sir Keir has united with other European leaders to urge Mr Netanyahu to reconsider.
In response, Mr Huckabee, an outspoken supporter of Mr Netanyahu shot back, saying: 'So Israel is expected to surrender to Hamas and feed them even though Israeli hostages are being starved? Did UK surrender to Nazis and drop food to them? Ever heard of Dresden, PM Starmer?
'That wasn't food you dropped. If you had been PM then, UK would be speaking German!'
Mr Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, is the first evangelical Christian to serve as US ambassador to Israel.
He was responding to a statement in which Sir Keir warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
'What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution. Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm,' Sir Keir said.
While Mr Trump's own position on Gaza has softened with the president saying 'real starvation' is occurring, Mr Huckabee has played down the conditions in the strip.
The ambassador to Israel questioned why some nations were 'once again' placing 'all the pressure on Israel' instead of on Hamas.
On Friday, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, announced Germany was suspending arms sales to Israel, saying it was 'increasingly difficult to understand' how seizing Gaza was in keeping with its war aims.
The UK, France and Canada have said they will recognise the Palestinian state in September if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire.
During a meeting with foreign secretary David Lammy in England on Friday, JD Vance, the US vice-president, raised questions over the move, saying: 'I don't know what it would mean to really recognise a Palestinian state – given the lack of a functional government there.'
The US State Department previously said Britain would be 'rewarding Hamas' by recognising Palestine.
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