LONDON/GAZA: Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister whose political legacy remains heavily tarnished by the 2003 Iraq War, is poised to take a leading role in Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza. The move is expected to intensify the long-standing controversy surrounding his involvement in Middle Eastern affairs.
Blair, 72, is reportedly set to join the board of an international transitional authority in the Palestinian territory. He is credited alongside Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner with crafting the US leader’s comprehensive plan for the region.
Experience Versus Credibility
“I wouldn’t say that Trump anointed him, it’s that he managed to convince President Trump of the merits of this plan,” Sanam Vakil, Middle East programme director at the Chatham House think tank, told AFP.
Blair brings a deep well of regional contacts and experience, having served for eight years as the envoy for the Middle East Quartet (EU, UN, US, and Russia). He is widely viewed as a savvy global operator whose participation would lend gravitas to any leadership role in Gaza.
Yet, critics argue he is fundamentally ill-suited to the role of peacemaker. He is widely reviled by many Arabs and discredited in Britain due to his unequivocal support for the US-led invasion of Iraq. Vakil noted: “His reputation, of course, is mired by his involvement in the Iraq war. But at the same time, he is trusted by leaders in the Gulf… who see him as a potential bridge-builder candidate,” a sentiment she stressed does not reflect Palestinian support.
Palestinian Rejection: ‘The Most Horrible Idea’
Blair, a skilled communicator known for his strong self-belief, has maintained an informal regional presence through his institute and consultancy. His office credits him with contributing to the historic 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states during the first Trump presidency.
Israel appears to welcome his possible new role, with Blair said to enjoy a good rapport with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Former Israeli Premier Ehud Barak told the Washington Post that Blair “has always had a corner of his heart devoted to the unfinished project of calming down this conflict.”
However, Palestinians have expressed vocal opposition. Mustafa Barghuti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative, told CNN: “That is the most horrible idea. To bring a foreign person to run the Palestinian affairs in Gaza is absolutely unacceptable, especially with the reputation that Mr. Blair has.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on rights in the Palestinian territories, was equally blunt, posting on X: “Tony Blair? Hell no. Shall we meet in The Hague perhaps?”—a clear reference to calls for him to face war crimes charges over the Iraq invasion.
The Unapologetic Legacy of Iraq
Blair has remained unapologetic about joining the 2003 invasion, which famously led to accusations that the UK government was a mere subordinate to then-US president George W. Bush. While expressing regret over intelligence failures and the lack of post-war planning, he defended the decision in a 2023 interview, stating, “At least you could say we were removing a despot and trying to introduce democracy.”
Blair’s 10-year tenure as Prime Minister, which began in 1997, saw unprecedented electoral success for Labour, a period of prosperity, key constitutional changes, and the securing of a historic peace accord in Northern Ireland. However, his political fortunes never recovered from the fallout of the Iraq War, which saw a million people protest in London against the invasion and his eventual ousting in 2007.
Despite the controversy, Blair has continued his work as a committed Christian and global statesman, focusing on interfaith dialogue and governance in developing nations.
