the Man who Helped Break Gaza Now Wants to “Fix” It

Israel’s two-year pulverizing of Gaza has accelerated the world’s descent into a place where dystopian thinking reigns supreme and we are asked to turn our entire moral compass upside down day after day.

No, systematically slaughtering Palestinians is not self-defense, much as the global mainstream media, politicians, and proponents of genocide want you to believe.

Ruthlessly flattening entire communities, hospitals, homes, schools, and religious sites is not an intricate and forensic hostage retrieval operation.

dropping the world’s most elegant bombs on besieged, starving, endlessly displaced Palestinians every eight minutes and concurrently creating a society that has the highest number of child amputees in the world, is intentional, meticulous annihilation-not war.

None of this needs saying. It’s common sense. Or at least, it should be. But such is the reality now that the unconscionable is not just permissible,but glorified too.

In that light,the solutions to the indescribable suffering become just as Orwellian.

Which brings me to blood-soaked former UK prime minister and eternal war criminal Tony Blair.

gaza has become a place where no human can exist. it’s what Israeli officials promised,and they stuck to the task with cold-blooded meticulousness. Now US President Donald trump, who has continued his predecessor Joe Biden’s policy of arming and facilitating the carnage, claims to have suddenly dreamed up the solution to the slaughter he is helping cause.On Monday, he unveiled a 20-point so-called “peace plan” in an appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (With characteristic humility, Trump described it as “potentially one of the great days ever in civilization.”)

Part of the plan involves Gaza being placed under a temporary technocratic Palestinian committee tasked with running daily public services and municipalities.

It also includes Gaza becoming a “de-radicalised terror-free zone” and promises that an economic development plan to “rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East.”

This is alongside a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) that will immediately be deployed in Gaza, in coordination with the US and Arab partners.

And overseeing all of this would be a new international “Board of peace,” which would be chaired by Trump alongside other prominent figures. Among them? You guessed it: Tony Blair.

If a screenwriter envisioned the archetypal imperial “solution” to genocide, it would include provocative buzz words like development plan and technocratic. And it would include Tony Blair. These would be in place of Palestinian self-determination, freedom and autonomy. All in the name of cruel irony.

Except this fresh hell being imposed on Palestinians is not a movie.And Blair’s participation is all too real.

Netanyahu and Blair sharing the same sentence should be in reference to a judgment handed down at The Hague, not in reports about the future of Palestine. But we’re not that lucky. Instead,we got bland headlines about the news.

“Netanyahu backs Trump peace plan for Gaza-as role for blair revealed,” read a Sky News headline. “Warmongering butcher of Middle Eastern children backs latest colonial venture, as other warmongering butchers of Middle Eastern children light up at the prospect of inflicting yet more misery in the region” would have been more apt.

For his part, Blair hailed the news.”President Trump has put down a bold and smart plan.… It offers us the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering,” he wrote in a statement.

If the tone sounds eerily like that of a man who sees human beings like pieces on a chessboard that can be moved, spoken for, and have their fates dictated from above, then it’s as that is precisely the reality. It’s a reality anyone who’s lived through the other horrors Blair inflicted on the world will be all too familiar with.

“I have no doubt Iraq is better without Saddam; but no doubt either, that consequently of his removal, the dangers of the threat we face will be diminished.… The best defense of our security lies in the spread of our values.”

Those were Blair’s words in 2004, as he justified the illegal invasion of Iraq. The rest is history: hundreds of thousands brutally killed, and millions more displaced. A country rich in history and heritage, its trajectory altered irreversibly.

For one of the chief architects of this crime to not only escape accountability but also show his face and offer his services in the region displays a brass neck beyond belief.

Blair could have chosen to learn from history. Perhaps he could have realized that it’s not for Western imperial powers to conceitedly draw borders and carve up territories as they please. Or that those who carried out and enabled the wholesale erasure and destruction of an entire people shouldn’t be trusted to formulate ideas for their apparent thriving futures. Or that statehood and freedom are not conditional gifts that men in suits with a manufactured criteria decide to issue.

instead, Blair looked at history, saw the sinister legacies of Sykes-Picot and Balfour, saw lines being drawn and ideas being implemented without consent of the local populations, and decided that there is no time like the present to emulate the rotten past.

Blair is, if anything, overqualified when it comes to condemning Middle eastern countries to despair. But he’s severely underqualified when it comes to even remotely understanding the dynamics of Palestine and the struggle for liberty from Israel’s colonial orbit.

When he left office in 2007, Tony Blair served as Middle East envoy for the Quartet of international powers (the US, EU, Russia, and the UN). He was tasked with bringing economic development to Palestine and creating the conditions for a two-state solution. He left this post in 2015.

Those eight years were characterized by passivity as the two-state solution only drifted further out of reach and Israel’s one-apartheid reality was entrenched,its occupation and choking of Palestinian freedom escalating.Illegal settlements multiplied across Palestinian land, and the settlers-the very agents of Israel’s relentless land theft-grew in number.

Simultaneously occurring, Gaza was subjected to three diffrent destructive campaigns of bombardment during this period-in 2008, 2012, and 2014.

These failures on Blair’s watch are synonymous with the advancement of Israel’s ethnonationalist strategic objectives. Even if his CV were unreadable,its pages drenched in blood,that alone should disqualify him from helping decide the fate of a people who have endured genocide.

the only state Tony Blair played any part in sustaining for the Palestinians is the state of perpetual torment.

The omnipotent words of Palestinian author Ghassan Kanafani ring louder today than ever: “you don’t mean peace talks, you mean capitulation and surrender.”

Palestinians in Gaza have been on the receiving end of an operation of annihilation, and it is they who must apparently concede and cede the stage while external powers cynically prescribe their bitter medication. They will be promised statehood and some sort of “political horizon,” but only when the provisions are satisfactorily met.

Their land, their lives, their futures, but not their choice.

So there are questions. Complex and important ones that lives rest on. How best to create an environment where Palestinians can recover and rebuild from the apocalypse in Gaza. How to manage the profound and life-changing hardships that have been imposed on Palestinians. How can legitimate statehood and freedom from the constraints of occupation and perpetual dispossession be attained?

Those are not questions Blair should concern himself with.

When the question is which war criminal should spend the rest of his life behind bars, then he can step forward.

by Hamza Yusuf

How might Tony Blair’s past actions as Quartet Representative influence perceptions of impartiality in addressing the current Gaza crisis?

Prevent Tony Blair’s Involvement in Gaza Amidst Controversial Legacy

Understanding the Concerns: Blair’s Past role & current Gaza crisis

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza has ignited global debate, and with it, renewed scrutiny of figures with a history of involvement in the region. Tony Blair’s past role as Quartet Representative for the Middle East, particularly his perceived bias and lack of tangible progress towards a two-state solution, fuels anxieties about any potential re-engagement.Concerns center around a potential for repeating past missteps, exacerbating existing tensions, and hindering genuine efforts towards peace.This article explores strategies to prevent further involvement, focusing on accountability, diplomatic pressure, and supporting alternative leadership. Key search terms include: Tony Blair Gaza, Middle East peace process, Quartet Representative, Gaza conflict, Blair Middle East legacy.

Ancient Context: Blair’s Quartet Role – A Critical Assessment

From 2007 to 2015, Tony Blair served as the Quartet’s envoy, tasked with facilitating the peace process between Israel and Palestine. Critics argue his approach prioritized Israeli security concerns over Palestinian rights and economic growth.

* Limited Palestinian Economic Growth: Blair’s focus on economic initiatives for Palestinians was often hampered by Israeli restrictions on movement and access.

* perceived Pro-Israel Bias: Accusations of favoring Israeli narratives and failing to adequately address the impact of settlements on peace negotiations were frequent.

* Lack of Political Breakthroughs: Despite years of effort, the quartet under Blair’s leadership failed to achieve any significant political breakthroughs.

Understanding this history is crucial when considering any future role for Blair. Resources like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reports and self-reliant analyses of the Quartet’s performance offer valuable insights.Blair Quartet report, Israel Palestine conflict analysis, Gaza blockade impact are relevant search terms.

Strategies to Prevent Re-Engagement: A Multi-Pronged Approach

Preventing Tony Blair’s involvement isn’t about personal animosity; it’s about ensuring a more effective and impartial approach to resolving the Gaza crisis. Here’s how:

1. Diplomatic Pressure & International Advocacy

* Targeted Lobbying: Activists and ngos should directly lobby governments and international organizations (UN, EU, US State Department) to publicly oppose Blair’s appointment to any official role concerning Gaza.

* Public Petitions: Online petitions and public campaigns can demonstrate widespread opposition and exert pressure on decision-makers.

* Media Engagement: Consistent media coverage highlighting Blair’s controversial legacy and the potential negative consequences of his involvement is vital. Gaza humanitarian crisis, International diplomacy middle East, Tony Blair criticism are significant keywords.

2. Supporting Alternative Leadership & Mediation Efforts

* Empowering Palestinian Voices: Prioritize supporting Palestinian leaders and civil society organizations capable of representing Palestinian interests effectively.

* Regional Mediation: Encourage and support mediation efforts led by regional actors with a proven track record of impartiality and a deep understanding of the conflict. (e.g., Egypt, Jordan).

* Focus on grassroots Initiatives: Invest in and amplify grassroots peacebuilding initiatives that foster dialogue and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. Palestinian civil society, Regional peace initiatives, Gaza peacebuilding are relevant search terms.

3. Demanding Accountability for Past Actions

* Independent Inquiry: Advocate for an independent inquiry into the Quartet’s performance during Blair’s tenure, specifically examining the impact of its policies on the Gaza Strip.

* Transparency & Access to Information: Demand transparency regarding any consultations or discussions involving Blair and relevant governments.

* Highlighting Past Failures: Continuously highlight the shortcomings of Blair’s previous involvement to inform current decision-making. Quartet failures, Accountability Middle East, Gaza examination are key phrases.

The Role of Civil Society & Activist Groups

civil society organizations play a crucial role in preventing unwanted involvement.

* Monitoring & Reporting: Continuously monitor developments and report on any attempts to involve Blair in Gaza-related initiatives.

* Raising Awareness: Educate the public about Blair’s past record and the potential risks of his re-engagement.

* Organizing Protests & Demonstrations: Peaceful protests and demonstrations can raise awareness and exert pressure on governments.Gaza solidarity movement, Middle East activism, Protest Tony Blair are relevant search terms.

Case Study: The Chilcot inquiry & Lessons Learned

The Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War (2003-2009) provides a cautionary tale about the consequences of flawed decision-making and a lack of accountability. While not directly related to Gaza,the inquiry highlighted the importance of:

* Thorough Risk Assessment: Carefully evaluating the potential consequences of any intervention.

* Independent Advice: Seeking advice from a diverse range of experts, not just those aligned with a particular agenda.

* Transparency & Accountability: Holding decision-makers accountable for their actions.

Thes lessons are directly applicable to the situation in Gaza and should inform any consideration of Tony blair’s potential involvement. Chilcot Inquiry lessons, Iraq War analysis, Foreign policy accountability are useful search terms.

Benefits of Preventing Un