Tony Blair’s emergence as a potential Gaza interim consul and member of Donald Trump’s “board of peace” has drawn sharp criticism from analysts who question what the former British prime minister can bring to the conflict. While Blair is touted as a perfect fit for the new Trump era, his track record in the Middle East suggests otherwise, with experts pointing to “fatal flaws” in any plan he might propose.
Blair’s role as an architect of the disastrous Iraq invasion and his promotion of a simplistic view of Islamist extremism have made him a controversial figure. His years as Quartet envoy – representing the UN, EU, US and Russia – were viewed as a moderate success by some diplomats, but Palestinians saw him as an impediment to statehood. He was accused of being more sympathetic to Israel and of lobbying against Palestinian recognition at the UN in 2011.
Blair’s actions in 2006 also contributed to the crisis in Gaza. He supported a boycott of Hamas after the group won elections, a decision that led to tensions culminating in Hamas’s violent takeover of Gaza in 2008. He later conceded the international community should have engaged Hamas, but critics remain sceptical. Xavier Abu Eid, a former Palestinian negotiator, said Blair’s attitude became clear when he refused Palestinian requests for help with Israeli home demolitions.
Josh Paul, co-founder of thinktank A New Policy, warned: “Having worked with Tony Blair when he was Quartet special envoy … I can warn immediately of the two fatal flaws any plan he proposes will have.” Blair’s worldview, dominated by the threat of Islamist extremism, has also led him to overlook human rights abuses by Gulf allies. With the UK government offering little support for his Gaza plan, the proposal faces an uphill battle.
