Tony Blair as Middle East Envoy for Peace

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Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair was chosen the Envoy of Quartet to Middle East for peace in June 2007. Mr. Blair has been working on behalf of Europe Union, United State, Russia and the United Nation to bring peace between Israel and Palestine.

The announcement came hours after Mr. Blair stood down as British Prime Minister in 2007. At the time many critics argued that Mr. Blair was not the right candidate for the job in the Middle East. The conflict in Middle East is not an easy job, and it seems that Mr. Blair is aware of that. The media reports pointed out that Mr. Blair suggested that stability and peace in the Middle East requires “a huge and intense amount of work.”  

According to an article published in The Guardian newspaper, one of the most important thing for Mr. Blair is gaining the parties’ trust. “If Blair has already gained Israel’s trust for being their ally, it is more difficult for him to gain the Palestinians’ trust for the same reason,” The Guaridan reported.

Although the Palestinian Authority Fatah had welcomed the announcement of Mr. Blair, but it had been criticised by Hamas. In interview with Aljazeera Hamas spokesman said: “It was not helpful in solving the conflict in the Middle East”, arguing that Mr Blair’s position mirrored those of the US and Israel. Hamas won the 2006 parliamentary election and took control of Gaza Strip.

Tony Blair has assured the International community on various occasions to work hard for a peaceful two-state solution in Israel-Palestine conflict. But eighteen months ago when Mr. Blair was first appointed to the job, still there hasn’t been any improvement in the region. On the contrary the Palestinians are suffering more than ever, as Israel has stopped all fuel, gas and humanitarian supply to Palestine territory, which has attracted International outrage.

As in the past Israeli government has rejected to co-operate with UN resolution of 192, which gives the Palestinians the right to return, similarly it didn’t care about thousands of people who are left without any food or fuel supply. I personally don’t agree with Israel on this particular issue of stopping humanitarian supply to the people of Gaza, because it is against humanity.

Even Tony Blair showed his concern over Israel blockage in Gaza, which started in June last year. “The present situation is not harming Hamas in Gaza but it is harming the people.  I don’t think that the current situation is sustainable; I think most people who would analyse it think the same, “ Mr. Blair told The Guardian Newspaper.

According to UN figures there are now 1.5 million people living beyond poverty line in Gaza, as direct result of Israeli blockage. Although the UN officials have said that Mr. Blair is s a key player, able to bring energy to the Middle East peace process. Mr. Blair has contributed in the past to peace process in Northern Ireland after decades of conflicts in the region between Nationalist, who are mostly Roman Catholics and Protestants who are claiming to represent Unionist.

The BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, argues that failure in the Middle East is more likely than success. He added: “Israelis like Mr Blair because they believe he is on their side and Palestinians in the main do not trust him for the same reason.”

Although Mr. Blair has not been able to achieve his goals in the Middle East in last eighteen months, but if he succeeds in achieving peace in the region it would be a great victory for him. He would be remembered as a “Pacemaker” rather than a PM who sent thousands of British troops in wars abroad such as Afghanistan and Iraq.