Tony Blair Called Removed From Gaza Peace Council Candidates List

Sir Tony Blair. (Wikimedia Commons/Web Summit)

JAKARTA - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been crossed out of their list of candidates who will accompany the Peace Council in the Gaza Strip, following objections from several Arab and Muslim countries, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Blair was the only person appointed to the council when US President Donald Trump announced his 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas at the end of September, saying he was a "very good person".

At that time, Blair described President Trump's plans as "dare and intelligent" and indicated he would be happy to serve on the council, which the US president will chair.

However, some Arab and Muslim countries opposed Blair's position, in part due to his reputation in the Middle East, due to his strong support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, quoted by the Financial Times (9/12).

There are also concerns that Palestinians will be marginalized from the government structure.

Blair's office declined to comment, but an ally rejected the assumption the former prime minister would not sit on the "peace council" because of opposition from several countries in the region.

"This board will consist of world leaders who are in office and there will be a smaller executive council under it," the ally said, arguing that Blair, as a former prime minister, did not qualify for the council.

Blair is expected to sit on the executive committee alongside Jared Kushner (President Trump) and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, along with senior officials from Arab and Western countries, the Blair ally said.

President Trump acknowledged the possibility of opposition to Blair's appointment in October, saying: "I've always liked Tony, but I want to make sure he's an acceptable choice for everyone."

Blair, who served as Middle Eastern envoy after leaving Downing Street in 2007, has been working on Gaza's plans for more than a year individually, using his Tony Blair Institute to formulate his ideas. He coordinated with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and the US envoy to the Middle East during President Trump's first term of office.

Others briefed on the discussions also said Blair may still have a position in the structure of Gaza's future government.

"He can still have a role in different capacities and that seems possible," the person said.

"Americans love it and Israelis love it," he said.

President Trump's plans to end the conflict in Gaza have largely stalled since it was announced more than two months ago along with a fragile ceasefire, with the route divided between Hamas-controlled territory and Israeli-controlled territory.

When the Republican politician announced the plan, he said another member of the "peace council" would include the head of state and would be appointed in "a few days ahead." However, no appointment has yet been made.

However, President Trump said the implementation of the plan was going well, and that a move to the second phase of Gaza's plans would occur "soon", hinting that an announcement of the council might be made soon.