Wes Streeting backs Blair’s controversial role in Gaza peace plan

Wes Streeting has said he backs Sir Tony Blair’s proposed role in a transitional authority to govern Gaza, while admitting that the appointment will “raise eyebrows”.

On Monday, Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which has garnered support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is under consideration by Hamas.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the proposal, expressing gratitude for Trump’s leadership and urging all sides to work with the US to finalise the agreement.

The US president announced that Sir Tony would be among the international leaders serving on a “Board of Peace,” overseeing a transitional governing committee for Gaza.

Blair, who led the UK into the Iraq War in 2003, later served as Middle East envoy for the Quartet—the US, EU, Russia, and UN.

More recently, he has participated in high-level talks with the US and other parties regarding Gaza’s future.

Health Secretary Streeting acknowledged that Blair’s legacy in Iraq would prompt questions about his suitability for the role, noting:“Now I know there’ll be some people who look at Tony Blair and his legacy in Iraq and will raise eyebrows, to say the least, about whether he’s the right man to be involved in this.

“And I say that as someone myself who opposed the Iraq War.

“But Tony Blair also had an incredible legacy in Northern Ireland of bringing together sworn enemies to build a peace that has lasted.

“So if he can bring that skill set to bear in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the support of Israelis, Palestinians, and other regional powers, then so much the better.”

Sanam Vakil, director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, described the Good Friday Agreement as “a very different process with very different players,” but said the Government appeared keen to position Blair as a strong candidate for the Gaza role.

“There aren’t many candidates for the job… that’s the way they see it, and Blair has really been the one trying to shepherd this through as I understand it,” Vakil told the PA news agency.

Vakil noted that Blair’s reputation is more controversial in the UK than abroad, where he is largely respected among Middle East policymakers.

“The history and complicity of his role in the Iraq War raises the most serious red flags, but I frankly don’t think that that is going to stop any potential Blair involvement in this deal,” she said.

“He’s been instrumental in trying to develop it, bringing on board support from around the region. He’s got trusted relationships across the Middle East and in the White House, and so it’s hard to imagine that in this case, the concerns that the public might have… about his past and his history and his reputation will get in the way.”

She added that Blair does not appear to be acting as a representative of the British government, and that he has not yet commented on his potential role.

Vakil stressed the need to scrutinise Blair’s involvement, but emphasised that the most important factor is ensuring Palestinian support for the plan.

The Liberal Democrats have called for Blair to give evidence to Parliament about his role. Party leader Sir Ed Davey said: “MPs must have the chance to scrutinise whether the former prime minister is the right person to help secure these goals.”

If both sides accept Trump’s plan, it would trigger an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces to “the agreed-upon line,” and the release of all hostages, followed by the release of Palestinian prisoners and a surge of aid into Gaza.

Gaza would then be temporarily governed by a transitional committee of qualified Palestinian and international experts, overseen by a new international “Board of Peace.” This body would set the framework and funding for Gaza’s redevelopment until the Palestinian Authority undergoes sufficient reform to take over.

Trump told reporters: “One of the people who wants to be on the board is the UK former prime minister Tony Blair – good man, very good man.”
Blair called Trump’s plan “bold and intelligent” and “the best chance” of ending the war. He thanked Trump for his willingness to chair the board, calling it a “huge signal of support and confidence in the future of Gaza.”

The UK Prime Minister also said: “Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages. Together with our partners, we will continue work to build consensus to put into place a permanent ceasefire. We are all committed to a collective effort to end the war in Gaza and deliver a sustainable peace, where Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in safety and security.”

The deal has won support from Israel and Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Hamas negotiators are currently reviewing the plan after being briefed by Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence chief, according to the Associated Press.

If Hamas rejects the deal, Trump said Netanyahu would have his “full backing to do what you would have to do.” Netanyahu called the plan a “critical step” towards peace but warned that if Hamas rejected it, “Israel will finish the job by itself.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed “President Trump’s efforts to drive forward a hostage-ceasefire deal, which now has the buy-in of Israel and the international community,” and called for pressure on Hamas to “accept the deal and end the nightmare that they started on October 7, 2023.”