On Monday, President Trump brought former British Prime Minister Tony Blair into the spotlight, appointing him to help manage Gaza as part of a new peace initiative in the Middle East. Blair, who hasn’t held office since 2007, is, well, a bit of a blast from the past, I suppose.
“A good guy. A very good guy,” Trump remarked about the now 72-year-old Blair.
Blair is set to join an international transitional body dubbed the “Peace Commission,” which Trump will chair.
Blair called Trump’s 20-point peace proposal the “best opportunity” for resolving tensions in the area.
The president mentioned that the committee would work with the World Bank and other organizations to recruit and train new Palestinian governments and expert advisers from around the globe. He humorously hinted, “It’s going to be a pretty big board. Everyone wants in,” while only naming himself and Blair as confirmed members.
For a long time, Blair has shown interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, strongly supporting Israel and advocating for a two-state resolution.
Following his time at 10 Downing Street, he served as a special envoy for the Middle East Quartet—comprised of the UN, EU, Russia, and the U.S.—working toward peace between Israel and Palestine.
Blair’s think tank, Global Change at the Tony Blair Institute, has been conducting several polls since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. These polls highlight the urgent need for a new reality in Gaza, aiming to provide Palestinians with self-governance and a pathway away from Israel’s intervention, all while keeping the two-state solution in mind.
Reports suggest that Blair has recently been meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders, along with White House advisers, to discuss plans for Gaza post-conflict. In August, he had a discussion with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former Middle Eastern envoy, about the future of the region after nearly two years of warfare.
Blair is also notably linked to the contentious U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, based on intelligence that later turned out to be flawed. His name resurfaced as a potential coordinator for international aid to Gaza after the outbreak of war, but that role never developed.
Trump’s peace framework has yet to be accepted by Hamas, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently expressed determination to proceed with military actions.
Blair complimented Trump’s plan as “bold and intelligent,” asserting it as the best chance for achieving peace in the region.
“President Trump has laid out a bold and intellectual plan that could, if embraced, end the war and provide immediate relief to Gaza, offering a brighter future for the people involved, while ensuring Israel’s security and the release of all hostages,” he stated.
Blair continued, expressing gratitude toward Trump’s leadership and commitment, particularly noting his role as chair of the Peace Committee as a strong endorsement for a hopeful future for Gaza and a pathway to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
