Written by Nidal Al -Munbi, Andrew Makaskil and Kate Holton
CAIRO/London (Reuters) -When Tony Blair was first assigned to forge a permanent peace between Israel and the Palestinians in 2007, the White House warned that the former British Prime Minister was not “Superman” and “has no head.”
After failing to achieve many observations in this role, Blair is preparing again to address one of the most conflicts he deserves in the world after agreeing to work in a committee led by US President Donald Trump to manage Gaza.
Blair’s insertion of disbelief between Palestinian politicians and analysts, and among many of those present at his annual conference in Britain – raised his reputation forever with his decision to support the invasion of George W. Bush 2003 for Iraq.
But the possible appointment – if the plan continued – was welcomed by some diplomats and former colleagues who argued that Blair was trustworthy of the United States, the Israelis and many Gulf countries – and that it was difficult to find anyone who could unite all parties.
Some who borrowed this role indicated that, as Prime Minister of the British, he also played a major role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, after 30 years of sectarian violence there.
Hamas does not want any role for Blair
Hamas official, Taher Al -Nono, rejected any role for Blair, saying that the group would not accept the imposition of “foreign guardianship on our people.”
“Our people are more able to manage their affairs themselves,” he said.
Blair was included in the Trump proposal, which consists of 20 points in Gaza, which would end the war between Israel and Hamas militants and the “Peace Council” vision of international supervisors playing a role led by Trump, including Blair in an unlimited role.
Trump said that Blair asked to join the council and described him as “a very good man.”
Blair’s office refused to comment on any role, but he issued a statement saying that the proposal was a “bold and smart plan” that provides the best opportunity to end the war.
The 72 -year -old spent 10 years as Prime Minister in Britain, and hours after his resignation in 2007, he was named as an Middle East envoy representing the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union, in charge of building Palestinian institutions and promoting economic development.
However, its declared goal of securing a solution from the two countries the negotiations did not make any progress, and the stalled peace talks collapsed in 2014. Many Palestinians still consider him doubt about the mediation role they saw in Israel.
Since it stepped in 2015, the Tony Blair Institute, which advises governments and Larry Ellson, the founder of Oracle as a financial supporter. Blair has also been a consultant to JPMorgan since 2008, when he has been sitting in the International Council of the largest American bank recommending political geography.
Blair criticized Iraq, being very close to Israel
Hani Al -Masry, a commentator in Palestinian policy in Ramallah, said that Blair’s previous record can anger the Palestinians, who are seen as biased towards the United States and Israel, and like many Arabs, they see the invasion of Iraq as a war crime.
“Tony Blair is one of the ridiculous things,” he said. “I heard it between the Palestinians black.”
A diplomat from the country of the Middle East, who attended the work conference loudly, laughed when he was asked about Blair’s participation, saying: “Very toxic.”
But one of the former British ambassador who worked during the era of Blair in the region said that it is wrong for Blair to see as bias towards Israel, only that he understood that the solutions would need to be acceptable to the elected Israeli leaders.
“He realizes that despite all its mistakes, Israel is democracy. You have to work with Israel for the better or worse – and in recent years, for the worst – but he is ready to do so.”
Supporters cite Bayer, “the ability of the bridge”
Blair’s spokesman Tom Kelly said that anyone looking for a common character in the Middle East will be “looking for a very long time”, but Blair had the ability to understand all views and draw a picture of a better future.
Miran Hassan, director of the Middle East Labor Council, who came to Britain as a refugee from Iraq in 1999, told Reuters that although he will not be popular with saying this, Blair is still a good choice.
“He has the ability to bridge diplomatic relations at the highest levels incredibly as decisions can be made,” he said. “I think this will be useful.”
However, many legislators and supporters within the midfield party, which Blair led were unable to see Blair’s role in Iraq.
Kim Johnson, a member of the Parliament’s Labor Party, told Reuters that she believed his involvement “is bright and disgusting. He is the completely wrong person of a job that revolves around trying to find peace.”
(Kate Holton Written; Additional reports by Amanda Ferguson in Belfast, Ali Swava, Ramallah, and Stephania Spaceti in London Peter Grave)
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