Trump to run Gaza with … Blair.

Anniebach

Blair was Middle East envoy from 2007 - 2015

Did he actually achieve anything?

Frankly I couldn’t give a damn about Blair’s past in this, I wish him every success with all my might.

Well I do have grave concerns about Blair which is why I do not trust him in any way.

Usual self aggrandisement from Trump when part of the peace plan had already been started by Biden.
I hope for the sake of those Palestinians who are left that this works and Hamas don't cause problems.
Hamas is still the governing body in Gaza so their agreement is necessary before this plan can go ahead. It will mean all Hamas will be leaving Gaza.

If Trump pulls this off he will go up in my estimation. Not sure why on earth he would want Blair involved but, hey ho,if it works , good.

I am glad Trump made Netanyahu apologise to Qatar for the bombing.
Qatar will be needed in a peace process

eazybee

^Frankly I couldn’t give a damn about Blair’s past in this, I wish him every success with all my might.^

Well I do have grave concerns about Blair which is why I do not trust him in any way.

That’s fine, you personally can think whatever you like, and I think everybody acknowledges that Blair is not perfect.

However, if the UK is to be involved, there is nobody else with more knowledge and experience of Middle Eastern politics, and importantly, credibility amongst other political leaders. The world is between a rock and a hard place, and we must offer the best we have to help.

Casdon

Sarnia

The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump and will include Tony Blair. This wouldn't be the Tony Blair who dragged his country into an illegal war would it?

Sarnia I’d volunteer if I were you, as perhaps you think you have the experience of the politics of the Middle East that would enable you to do a better job than the hand picked members of the Board?

Did you get out of bed the wrong side Casdon?
It seems a shame that GN's are so open to a minority on here who think it is fine to belittle other's opinions.

Sarnia

The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump and will include Tony Blair. This wouldn't be the Tony Blair who dragged his country into an illegal war would it?

To be honest this was my first thought. Much as I want to see a settlement and peace in Gaza, I do think it is time we put Blair out to grass.

Jeremy Bowen on this morning not very optimistic about the peace deal, tbh I would eat several hats if this did go to plan, but am sure every Palestinian is praying hard for this to bring about a ceasefire so that they can eat and stop swerving bombs and bullets.
Am not religious but am hoping beyond hope these long suffering people get some much needed respite.

If this peace plan goes ahead I will give Blair the benefit of the doubt before condemning him.

Sarnia

Casdon

Sarnia

The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump and will include Tony Blair. This wouldn't be the Tony Blair who dragged his country into an illegal war would it?

Sarnia I’d volunteer if I were you, as perhaps you think you have the experience of the politics of the Middle East that would enable you to do a better job than the hand picked members of the Board?

Did you get out of bed the wrong side Casdon?
It seems a shame that GN's are so open to a minority on here who think it is fine to belittle other's opinions.

No, I didn’t at all Sarnia. It’s not that I’m a fan of Tony Blair. I just want the best solution for Gaza, and the best available people to be on the board, because it is so important. The truth is, I think people let their political prejudice override common sense sometimes. We don’t have anybody else with his background who could deliver.

merlotgran

Anniebach

Blair was Middle East envoy from 2007 - 2015

Did he actually achieve anything?

A cynical ex-servicemen I know said that Blair had an eye to the future when he took us into an illegal war in the Middle East - ie his own future trying to bring about peace in that region.

In my opinion, a fruitless task looking at the history of the region over millennia.
But we have to hope despite feeling cynical about Trump and Blair.

I share your doubts Babs03. I wonder if Hamas will agree to leave Gaza quietly and some of the other leaders of the Knesset are firmly against this plan.
I too hope for peace for those Gazan people who have been suffering for far too long and also for the Israeli hostages who should be reunited with their families.

The truth is, I think people let their political prejudice override common sense sometimes.
It's not my political prejudice which makes me cynical about Blair.

As for Trump, what can I say?

Trump is really trying to find a way forward though, and if this doesn’t happen we will see Gaza completely wiped off the map. I’m one of life’s cynics, but I think we have to let them do the best they can, find the people who can deliver, and put all our personal thoughts aside. It is so important.

With Trump chairing the Board, how long will the other members survive in place? He has form in getting rid of people who disagree with him. I hope it doesn't become the Trump show - millionaire golf courses everywhere with caviar or Mac 'n cheese the plats du jour in the gold-walled diningrooms, and a workforce with no social Security or medical care.

I think Blair is behind a lot of things I dont like about how this Country has gone, or may go[no, I am not going to say more, except that when I have unravelled a few things, it goes back to Blair and the laws that he helped/managed/orchestrated or whatever, that got changed when he was in power].

Then there is ID cards that his son is involved with.

Then there is something about private health insurance which has not paid off for him financially as yet, as I understand things.

So no.
Having Blair involved in more things is a most definite no from me.

If he helps pull off peace? Then good.

The 20 point.plan is a remarkable attempt at showing a way forward. Trump has got to grips with enormous complexity, so different from his Gaza Strip plan of a year ago. It will likely fail, for now, but all credit to him, diplomats and advisers for trying.

merlotgran

Anniebach

Blair was Middle East envoy from 2007 - 2015

Did he actually achieve anything?

Blair has been active in the Middle East more or less since he left office as PM.

There can be very few with more knowledge of the area and has been more active.

This has been in the pipeline for months.

All power to them all if it stops the dreadful suffering.

Casdon

Trump is really trying to find a way forward though, and if this doesn’t happen we will see Gaza completely wiped off the map. I’m one of life’s cynics, but I think we have to let them do the best they can, find the people who can deliver, and put all our personal thoughts aside. It is so important.

I can express whatever personal thoughts I wish, within reason.

Whatever I think will make not one iota of difference.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

The 20 point.plan is a remarkable attempt at showing a way forward. Trump has got to grips with enormous complexity, so different from his Gaza Strip plan of a year ago. It will likely fail, for now, but all credit to him, diplomats and advisers for trying.

No that is terribly naive if you think this was trumps doing😄😄

This has been developed over months if not years - largely by Middle Eastern powers with Blair acting as go-between.

The past few months have been devoted to convincing and explaining to Trump and tweaking the final version to accommodate Israel etc.

You can. I personally abhor the negativity of Gransnet at times like this though. I am just praying they can find a way forward, and withholding my bile to expend on issues that are much less important to the future for all of us.

Agree WWM there will have been an awful lot of work done behind the scenes with many players, not just Blair who is there to press the flesh and offer advice based upon his experience of ME machinations, of which Trump knows precious little. I actually dislike Blair but probably dislike most heavy hitters taking part in this, so am only interested in what they can achieve.
Trump will have little to do with this above beyond having pics taken with Bibi which is all to the good seeing as the man’s only plan so far has been to build another Vegas in Gaza.

Just a word about Hamas. They have certainly been indirectly involved and are aware of the points to the peace plan.

I hope/guess that they must have indicted a measure of acceptance.

Yes I don’t give a toss who actually achieves this peace as long as they do! - opinion about the players involved counts for nothing.

Now for Ukraine.