Sir Tony Blair's loves a challenge.....

[mids2019]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/25/washington-backing-plan-for-tony-blair-to-head-transitional-gaza-authority

From New Labour to New Gaza.

Just wondering what sort of pad he would set up in Gaza city. But of a contrast to Downing St.

I guess Sir Tony would have to have a few Palestinian flags around him but this may be a really positive step and a different leadership to a terrorist organisation. It would be a real challenge though to commit to diplomacy with Israel while having to understand the Palestinian culture and organise resconstruction.

Fair play to having something to do in your retirement years.....most people choose a bit of gardening.

😮

This is like an April 1st news item!!!

It's a big job.

As Hasan leader he would have to negotiate with the Israeli government and the PA leader in the West bank.

I think there is a point there through. It must be seen that Hamas are gone and there is no possibility of the Palestinians electing a similar type of leadership. I think the US and Israel would be confident that Blair wouldnt be leading the al Qaseem brigades!

If the wider world sees that Islamic terrorism has been seen to fail then that might increase confidence in rebuilding Gaza. Blair has had decades of international experience so would act to stabilise Gaza in a civilised manner and not allow it to be overcome by factional war lords. Time is needed for moderate Palestinian parties to arise in Gaza and it has to be made sure none of the future representatives hold a manifesto that commits to the eradication of Israel.

I didn’t have ‘Tony Blair as official head of terrorist state’ on my bingo card for today, but actually makes total sense. Sure, why not.

Blair does indeed have decades of international experience in cultivating jihadis.

Also discussed in this thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/5416333-trumps-new-gaza-plan?reply=147362256

(as a complete aside, he hasn't aged well, has he).

Is this suggesting that they've killed all suitable representatives in Gaza, so now need a Westerner to govern?

The norm is that Western government's have 'allies' in every country, so why aren't they being shunted to the front of these 'negotiations'? Or can't we find a Palestinian outside of Gaza to return for this?

Copied from the other thread (posted in The Telegraph):

The former prime minister has spearheaded a plan to end the war through his think tank, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI).

Mr Trump backed that plan before presenting the idea to the leaders of Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia and five Arab nations at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

Mr Trump said Thursday night that he would not allow Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to annex the West Bank.

“I will not allow it,” he said while signing executive orders in the Oval Office. “It’s not going to happen. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”

Unlike Gaza, where Israel’s war with Hamas continues, the West Bank is governed by the Palestinian Authority. Mr Trump is due to meet Mr Netanyahu in Washington next week.

Sources previously confirmed to The Telegraph that Sir Tony had been working on a plan to end the war, known as the “day after”, since the conflict broke out in October 2023.

His plan, constantly being updated and revised, does not involve the displacement of Gazans but would involve the creation of a temporary body called the Gaza International Transitional Authority (Gita).

Established by the United Nations, Gita would rule the post-war Strip for several years before handing it over to the PA, which would be expected to undergo significant reforms beforehand.

Gita would serve as the “supreme political and legal authority for Gaza during the transitional period”, a version of a draft proposal reads, according to The Times of Israel.

What is your definition of a "terrorist state"

Tony Blair was part of the Northern Ireland peace process and I remember growing up with the idea that could never be fixed. On the other hand, hasn’t he been Middle East Peace Envoy before?

Is Isreal a terrorist state then? Given that the IDF fire at people queuing up for food and target hospitals? Would you feel comfortable with saying that kind of thing about another group of people, or with people making sweeping generalisations like this about whichever group you belong to?

Do you not see Palestinians as individual human beings with rights?

It all feels a bit regressive tbh, and a bit colonialist. Do we really need to parachute in a European leader (and a disgraced one at that) to "fix" things?

If he ends up doing it, then I truly wish him every success because the people of that region desperately need peace, stability and functioning governments, but surely there must be a better way than this?

Such as? No Middle East generated proposal has worked, has it?

I honestly don't know. Like I said, if this is how it pans out, then I truly hope that it succeeds. It just seems an odd choice.

Given his positive role in some terrible & intractable conflicts, his extensive connections across the region and the US (which, like it or not is critical) I think its as good a choice as any.

Do you mean positive initiation of terrible and intractable conflicts?

No. I mean Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Balkans..

Well, I really hope you're right.

I hope there’s peace soon whoever manages it but with this and the digital scheme that’s enough Blair stuff for a long time.

Actually I agree with this.

I'd take any way of peace coming but would prefer it to be entirely Arab led.

I can already hear the cries about our complicity when all goes FUBAR.

Mandatory Palestine Mk2?
Didn’t end well last time.
Smells like colonial spirit. But at this stage, I can’t see another way through this tragedy.

It is a terrible, terrible idea. How on earth could Blair have any sort of credible negotiating standing, given his involvement in wmd? Apparently he is being marketed as someone with credibility in the area - the era of Spin returns.

Message to Trump - Trump, this is a very bad idea. The only good idea is to negotiate a two state solution. No, a two state solution would not "honour Hamas" it would seek to put in place a solution to what has gone on since 1917 when Balfour signed the Balfour Agreement.

Seeing that man in photos or on the TV makes me feel genuinely sick.

The absolute chutzpah and gross lack of personal awareness he has.

The proposal as far as we can tell is a two state solution.

It’s not parachuting him in. He was Middle East envoy on behalf of UN plus US, Europe and Russia for many years. Hes known, liked and respected by all the leaders of ME states.