DUBAI – U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said peace in the Middle East remains “an illusion,” warning that decades of failed ceasefires and shifting alliances have left the region locked in a conflict over legitimacy rather than land.

In an interview with On the Record with Hadley Gamble, Barrack noted that more than two dozen ceasefire agreements have been attempted in recent years without lasting success. “We have had 27 ceasefires and none of them has stuck,” he said. “It’s not about territory. It’s about legitimacy.”

The veteran diplomat also criticised recent moves by some UN member states to recognise Palestinian statehood, describing them as symbolic gestures with little impact on the ground. “It’s nice to see, but it doesn’t change anything,” Barrack said.

Reflecting on the October 7 attacks, which he described as a turning point for the region, Barrack said the violence had deepened mistrust and intensified scrutiny of Israel. He expressed sympathy for both Palestinians and Israelis, acknowledging what he called “a mess” that has also spilled into neighbouring states.

Barrack reaffirmed Washington’s long-standing support for Israel, which receives billions of dollars in U.S. aid each year, but conceded that the conflict has created “confusion and tension” among allies.

Asked about Israel’s strike on Hamas officials in Doha — an incident that drew condemnation in the Gulf — Barrack admitted it had been a shock but insisted U.S. relations with Gulf states remained intact.

Despite growing international frustration, Barrack maintained that only a shift in mindset from both sides could pave the way forward. “Peace in the Middle East, for now, is an illusion,” he said.