Tony Blair’s return to Middle East diplomacy reopens old wounds and new doubts
By Nidal al-Mghrabi, Andrew Macaskkill and Kate Holton
Cairo/London (Reuters) -tony Blair was first assigned to make permanent peace between Israel and Palestinians in 2007, warned that the former British Prime Minister of the White House was not “Superman” and “Cape”.
After not getting too much grades in this role, Blair is once again preparing to deal with one of the most stubborn conflicts in the world after US President Donald Trump agreed to lead Gaza.
The inclusion of Blair led to disbelief between Palestinian politicians and analysts and among many participants at the annual conference of the British Labor Party in the UK – its reputation is full of George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
However, if the plan continues – Potential Appointment Continues – Blair was welcomed by some former diplomats and colleagues who argued that most of the US, Israelis and the Gulf states have been reliable, and it is difficult to find someone who could unite all over.
Some of the supporters for the role, as the British Prime Minister, said that there was a key role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland after 30 years of sectarian violence.
He does not want any role for Hamas Blair
Hamas official Taher Al-Nono rejected any role for Blair, saying that the group would not accept the imposition of “external tutelage over our people”.
“Our people can manage their own business,” he said.
Blair was included in the 20 -point peace proposal for Gaza, which will end the war between Trump’s Israel and Hamas militants, and the “Peace Council” of international supervisors, including an unidentified role of Trump and Blair.
Trump said he wanted Blair to join the board and described him as a “very good man.”
Blair’s office refused to comment more on any role, but made a statement that the proposal was a “brave and smart plan” that offered the best chance to end the war.
The 72 -year -old child spent 10 years in the UK as a prime minister, and hours after leaving in 2007, the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union was called the Middle East ambassador representing and encouraged Palestinian institutions and encouraged economic development.
However, the aim of providing a two -state solution to the negotiated, did not make any progress in 2014 and peace talks were destroyed. Many Palestinians are still doubtful of a mediation role in which they prefer Israel.
He started the Tony Blair Institute, which has been advised to governments since 2015 and initiated Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, as a financial supporter. Blair also has been advising JPMorgan’s consultancy and geopolitics at the International Council of the largest US Bank.
Blair criticized for Iraq, which is very close to Israel
Blair’s past record may angered the Palestinians who saw him as a prejudiced against the United States and Israel, and like many Arabs, he saw the occupation of Iraq as a war crime.
“Tony Blair is one of the ridiculous things,” he said. “The reputation among the Palestinians is black.”
A diplomat from a Middle East country participating in the workers’ conference laughed out loudly by saying “very toxic” about Blair’s participation.
However, a former British ambassador working under Blair in the region, it is wrong to see Blair as a prejudiced against Israel, and that only solutions should be acceptable for the elected leaders of Israel, he said.
“He understands that Israel is a democracy for all his mistakes. You have to work with Israel for better or worse – and in recent years, even worse – but willing to do it.”
Supportist Blair’s ‘bridge ability’
Blair’s Prime Minister’s spokesman Tom Kelly said that everyone looking for a universally popular figure in the Middle East will “look for a very, very long time”, but Blair has the ability to understand all perspectives and to draw a better future.
Miran Hassan, Director of the Middle East Council, who came to England as a refugee from Iraq in 1999, said that Blair could still be a good choice, although he was not popular if he told Reuters.
“Diplomatic relations have the ability to bridge an incredible high -level levels where decisions can be taken.” He said. “I think this will be useful.
However, many deputies and supporters of Blair, once ruled by Blair at the Central Left Party, could not see bey beyond Blair’s role in Iraq.
Kim Johnson, a member of the Parliament, said that his participation in Reuters was “ugly and disgusting. It is a completely wrong person for a job about trying to find peace”.
(He writes by Kate Holton, Amanda Ferguson in Belfast, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Stefania Spezzati in London by Peter Graff)
