Tony Blair in Gaza: ‘Radical change of approach’ needed from Israel
International Mideast envoy Tony Blair says the world has forsaken the Gaza Strip and is calling for a new approach regarding the war-battered territory.
On a visit to Gaza today following last summer’s war with Israel, the former British prime minister visited Palestinian families still taking shelter in a United Nations-run school.
Reconstruction efforts have been slow, and Mr Blair said some donor countries have not fulfilled their funding commitments. He said the stagnation in reconstruction was a “crime”.
He called for the Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, to clarify if it is part of a “broader Islamist movement with regional designs” or if it would accept a long-term peace alongside Israel.
He called for a “radical change of approach” from Israel to lift trade restrictions on Gaza.
.@QuartetRep Tony Blair today visited Gaza. Read his article on why a new approach to peace is needed: http://t.co/3j17luBRdH
— Tony Blair Office (@tonyblairoffice) February 15, 2015
“The on the ground reality is not conducive to peace. Gaza is the living proof.” Tony Blair on a new plan for #Gaza: http://t.co/3j17luTs5f
— Tony Blair Office (@tonyblairoffice) February 15, 2015
“We need change in Gaza to open it up and reconnect it with the world.” Tony Blair outlines a new plan for #Gaza: http://t.co/3j17luTs5f
— Tony Blair Office (@tonyblairoffice) February 15, 2015
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