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Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom whose reputation was heavily marred by his involvement in the 2003 Iraq War, remains a controversial figure in the Middle East and globally. His potential leadership in Donald Trump’s proposed peace initiative for Gaza is unlikely to alter that perception significantly.
At 72, Blair is slated to sit on the board of an international transitional authority in Palestinian territories. He is credited with developing the framework of Trump’s peace plan, working alongside Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner.
“While I wouldn’t say Trump officially appointed him, it’s clear Blair managed to persuade the President of the merits of this approach,” said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East program at Chatham House.
Blair’s extensive regional contacts and experience stem from his eight-year tenure as the envoy for the Middle East Quartet, which includes the European Union, United Nations, United States, and Russia. Known for his diplomatic savvy and confidence on the world stage, Blair is perceived as a figure who could bring significant influence to any leadership role in Gaza.
Critics point out his limited achievements as envoy and doubt his suitability as a peacemaker, especially given his unpopularity among many Arabs and the discredit he faces in Britain for his support of the Iraq invasion.
“His reputation is definitely tarnished by his role in the Iraq war,” Vakil noted.
“However, he still commands trust among Gulf leaders, who see him as a potential bridge-builder,” she added, clarifying that this support does not extend to the Palestinian community.
Blair, renowned for his effective communication skills and strong conviction, maintains an informal regional influence through his institute and consulting work. He contributed to the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, according to his office.
Israel reportedly welcomes his potential new role, with good rapport existing between Blair and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Blair has always been committed to resolving this long-standing conflict,” remarked Ehud Barak, Israel’s former Prime Minister.
In contrast, Palestinian voices are overwhelmingly negative. Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, called the idea “horrible,” arguing it’s unacceptable to have a foreigner run Palestinian affairs in Gaza given Blair’s reputation.
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on Palestinian rights, was more direct, tweeting, “Tony Blair? Hell no. Perhaps we should meet in The Hague,” referencing calls for war crimes investigations related to Iraq.
Blair has not apologized for his role in the 2003 invasion, which many saw as aligning the UK closely with the US under then-President George W. Bush. Still, he has expressed regret over intelligence failures and the insufficient planning for post-war Iraq.
“At least we aimed to remove a dictator and promote democracy,” he told AFP in 2023.
Blair’s political ascent began when he entered Parliament for the Labour Party in 1983. By 1994, he was leading the party’s modernization efforts, and in 1997, he became Britain’s youngest Prime Minister in over a century, winning three consecutive elections. His tenure during the “Cool Britannia” era was marked by economic growth, constitutional reforms, expanded LGBT rights, and a historic peace agreement in Northern Ireland.
However, the post-9/11 period saw his popularity decline. Massive protests against the Iraq invasion and flawed evidence weakened his domestic standing. Internal disagreements, particularly with Chancellor Gordon Brown, led to his resignation in 2007.
Despite stepping down from politics, Blair has remained active on the world stage, focusing on interfaith work and combatting extremism through his foundation. His consultancy work, while lucrative, has also faced criticism.
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