US Envoy Barrack: “Peace Is an Illusion” as Israel Has No Boundaries

Occupied Palestine (QNN)- US Special Envoy Tom Barrack explained that US President Trump’s approach in the Middle East focuses on limiting American military involvement, but that does not apply on Israel.

In a recent interview with The Record, he said that Trump simply said “I’m not going to lose any more American lives. I’m not going to take over any more countries and try to teach them the colonial method. It never worked.” Yet, he stressed that Israel is treated differently. “Israel is a valued ally. We subsidize them $4–5 billion a year. It has a special place in America’s heart,” Barrack noted, highlighting the depth of US financial and political support.

On the genocide in Gaza, Barrack dismissed international calls for ceasefires, under the pretext that previous ceasefires have failed. “We’ve had 27 ceasefires. None of them work. A cease-fire is not going to work,” he said. He also acknowledged the devastating human toll of the ongoing Israeli genocide, adding that he “hates what is happening for Palestinians, Israelis, Jordanians, Lebanese, Syrians, and Turks. It’s a mess.” He framed the root of the conflict as a struggle for legitimacy rather than territorial disputes, stating, “People fight for legitimacy, not borders. A border is just the currency of negotiation. The endgame is dominance.”

Barrack also stated that after Israel destroy Gaza, Saudi Arabia will move towards normalization.

“At the end of Gaza, I think you’ll see Saudi pointing to alignment,” he said. “Everybody has to get in alignment.”

”But in the midst of the confusion in Qatar, of all our valued allies saying, wow, we always knew how aggressive Israel was, but does this mean that the USis no longer a security guarantor for us?” He added.

Barrack further warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acts without restraint when it comes to perceived threats. Defending Israel’s violations, Barrack said Netanyahu is “not concerned about borders. If he feels his people are threatened, he will go anywhere and do anything. Full stop.” This, he explained, underscores Israel’s aggressive stance in the region, leaving Palestinian civilians and neighboring states in precarious positions.

Barrack questioned why no country ever “took” the Palestinian people under previous suggested expulsion plans. When reminded that Palestinians want to stay on their land, he framed their struggle as a fight over identity and relevance rather than territory.

“It’s not about Gaza, the West Bank, or the Golan Heights. It’s about legitimacy. You’re taking away their identity, and that’s not a good way to negotiate,” Barrack said. He was critical of international recognition efforts for Palestine, calling them largely symbolic and ineffective: “The world has no skin in the game. Except Israel and us. It has zero effect.”

Barrack also discussed the regional fallout from Israel’s attacks, hinting that it was behind the drone attack on one of the Sumud Flotilla ships in Tunis. He also stressed that Hezbollah has “zero incentive” to put its weapons dows as Israel continues to attack Lebanon. Yet, he stated that “Hezbollah is rebuilding while Israel attacks Syria, Lebanon, and even Tunisia”. Barrack stressed that the Lebanese government must assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, but added that they cannot effectively act against the resistance group, leaving Israel to enforce control. He also threatened to attack Iran despite the latest agreement, noting, “You can’t get Gaza, Hezbollah, and the Houthis under control without dealing with the Iran regime. I wouldn’t rule out Israel taking further action if necessary.”

Finally, Barrack addressed potential blowback for the US due to its unlimited support for Israel. He acknowledged growing divisions within America on this issue and warned that consequences will unfold. “America is divided on that issue. It will come to fruition. Either there’ll be a solution people say is worth it, or one that isn’t,” he said, highlighting the long-term political risks of backing Israel’s assaults.