Trump to run Gaza with … 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Anniebach

Blair was Middle East envoy from 2007 - 2015

Did he actually achieve anything?

He already has American support.

I think it's been scripted so Hamas won't agree, giving Netanyahu American support to continue. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

love0c

I have very grave doubts about it all. I can not see Hamas agreeing or if they do, keep to the agreement.

This could well be true, being that they’re not normal people but if surrounding countries tell them to give up then there’s a chance at least that they will.

It is possible that Hamas won’t accept the conditions on offer therefore giving Netanyahu the green light to demolish remaining tunnels and other Hamas areas. I guess the post war administration will then kick in as set out yesterday. The sooner it ends, the better but will it be a lasting peace?

Whitewavemark2

This has been on the cards for many months now. Blair has been active both in the Middle East with the Arab nations and Washington, beginning to get the basics together for an interim government.

You will find fewer people more knowledgable about the Middle East so if this can be pulled off then - bloody brilliant. Of course Blair and the USA were involved in the GFA with almost impossible odds. So all power to them I say if it saves a single child’s life or ends such dreadful suffering.
Frankly I couldn’t give a damn about Blair’s past in this, I wish him every success with all my might.

Peace for the people of Israel and Gaza -

Just quoting this again as I agree with every word.There will be no better way to get the hostages out alive, it’s a last chance for them and for hamas to get out of there and a safety measure for anyone in Gaza City.It could bring things to an end straight away, and Tony Blair is a very good choice.

I have very grave doubts about it all. I can not see Hamas agreeing or if they do, keep to the agreement.

windmill1

I'm afraid the picture in The Guardian of Trump with a smirking Nettanyahoo does not bode well for the battered inhabitants of Gaza.

The caption should read "Palestinians About to be Shafted by Coalition of Madman and Murderer"

I agree.

Nothing about rebuilding a very broken country, both physically and emotionally, no word of immediate aid!

Does anyone actually believe any of the hostages are still alive?

Blair was Middle East envoy from 2007 - 2015

This has been on the cards for many months now. Blair has been active both in the Middle East with the Arab nations and Washington, beginning to get the basics together for an interim government.

You will find fewer people more knowledgable about the Middle East so if this can be pulled off then - bloody brilliant. Of course Blair and the USA were involved in the GFA with almost impossible odds. So all power to them I say if it saves a single child’s life or ends such dreadful suffering.
Frankly I couldn’t give a damn about Blair’s past in this, I wish him every success with all my might.

Peace for the people of Israel and Gaza -

I'm afraid the picture in The Guardian of Trump with a smirking Nettanyahoo does not bode well for the battered inhabitants of Gaza.

The caption should read "Palestinians About to be Shafted by Coalition of Madman and Murderer"

Oh I wonder where they will turn up, if turfed out 🤔

friendlygingercat

Yes this would be the same Tony Blair the warmonger. He has a first class degree in self aggrandisement and is well qualified for the role.

My attempt at sarcasm fell a bit flat but it is getting late.
I wonder what the families of servicemen and women who lost their lives in that illegal war feel when they hear his name in the same sentence as the word peace.