A major new Gaza governance plan is generating intense global debate. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is at its center. The proposal comes from US President Donald Trump. His twenty-point peace plan suggests an international board. This body would oversee a post-war Gaza. President Trump would personally chair this “Board of Peace.” He also named Blair as a potential member. Trump publicly called Blair a “good man, very good man.” This Gaza governance plan immediately faces serious questions. Many wonder if Blair possesses the necessary trust and skill.
Therefore, Blair’s involvement is not unexpected. He has deep experience in Middle East diplomacy. For months, he collaborated with key advisers. He worked with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. He also met with an envoy from the Israeli prime minister. Moreover, Blair attended a high-level White House meeting in August. The group discussed post-war strategies for the region. Blair himself praised Trump’s proposal. He called the plan “bold and intelligent.” He said it offers the best chance to end the current misery. Furthermore, he believes it could create a broader alliance against extremism.
However, this Gaza governance plan faces immediate and harsh criticism. Blair’s history creates significant baggage. His role in the 2003 Iraq invasion remains deeply controversial. A United Nations official, Francesca Albanese, was brutally blunt. She stated, “Tony Blair? Hell no. Hands off Palestine.” She even suggested a meeting in The Hague instead. This references the International Criminal Court. A former UK Foreign Office head, Simon Fraser, echoed these concerns. He noted the Arab street has not forgotten Iraq. He warned the plan cannot look like an American-British enterprise.
Furthermore, Hamas officials also reject the proposal outright. A political bureau member, Husam Badran, said Blair should be on trial. He argued Blair should not be administering Gaza. However, Badran called any plan linked to Blair an “ill omen.” Many Palestinians share this deep distrust. They view Blair as consistently favoring Israeli and US positions. They feel he failed as a Middle East peace envoy previously. His focus then was on economic development, not statehood. Consequently, he lacks credibility with key groups on the ground.
Despite the controversy, Blair has unique qualifications. Diplomats note he is trusted by the Trump administration. He also has an unparalleled network across the Middle East. He possesses long experience with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. One Middle East expert, Nick Hopton, called him the only plausible Western leader for the role. Hopton cited Blair’s twenty-four years of regional experience. Yet, success would require confidence from all sides. This includes Trump, Netanyahu, and the Palestinian Authority.
Ultimately, the focus on Blair may be premature. The entire peace framework lacks crucial details. It currently exists as just twenty points on paper. It has no clear timelines or specific deliverables. Most importantly, it lacks buy-in from both Israelis and Palestinians. The real obstacle is not one man’s controversial legacy. The challenge is crafting a plan that ensures Palestinian agency. Without this, the proposed Gaza governance plan will likely fail. It risks becoming another moment of cosmetic diplomacy.
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