Many involved in negotiations to end Israel’s genocidal war in the Gaza Strip and begin rebuilding it breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was announced that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, one of the most polarizing figures in international diplomacy, had been removed from the proposed “peace commission” tasked with overseeing the transition phase of the strip. The announcement comes at a sensitive time as negotiations enter a second phase, focusing on the security and economic arrangements needed to stabilize the Strip and begin reconstruction efforts.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, adopted on November 17, 2025, is in line with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace proposal and provides an international mandate to establish a Transitional Peace Council (TPC), deploy a stabilization force, and set a framework until the end of 2027. As this new transitional regime takes shape, the expected role of Prime Minister Blair quickly emerged as a source of deep concern for many. Person concerned.
Since the Trump administration began efforts to end the war, several plans have been floated. But the plan attributed to Mr Blair appears to be closest to Mr Trump’s thinking and may have influenced key elements of the vision he announced in late September. That alone reignited the controversy. Why is putting Prime Minister Blair in such a critical position considered a major blunder?
Prime Minister Blair carries a heavy political legacy rooted in what many consider the most disastrous foreign policy decision of the 21st century – the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This invasion of Iraq was championed by then US President George W. Bush under the false pretext of weapons of mass destruction (later confirmed by the British Chilcot Inquiry). The war devastated Iraq, fueled sectarian tensions and opened the door to years of foreign intervention, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. For many in the region and beyond, Prime Minister Blair became a symbol of unaccountable power and disastrous decision-making.
In the Palestinian and Arab context, Blair’s record is even more alarming. He served as special envoy to the Quartet for the Middle East peace process from 2007 to 2015, and was widely accused of hardening Israeli policy, enabling the tightening of the blockade of Gaza and allowing Israel to evade its obligations under the peace framework. The Quartet’s mission was to support negotiations, promote economic development, and prepare the system for eventual statehood, but none of these goals progressed meaningfully during Blair’s tenure. Meanwhile, Israel’s illegal settlement expansion accelerated and its occupation deepened.
The most significant outcome was the Quartet’s decision to impose sweeping political and economic sanctions on the new Hamas-led government following the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections. These conditions required Hamas to recognize Israel and renounce armed resistance before lifting the blockade, effectively causing Gaza’s long-term isolation. This decision dealt a severe blow to Palestinian political cohesion and solidified divisions, the effects of which are still being felt.
During Blair’s tenure as Prime Minister, the Gaza Strip endured four devastating Israeli military attacks, including Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, which became one of the bloodiest military operations in Gaza’s history during his tenure. However, Prime Minister Blair was unable to achieve a political breakthrough. Instead, a British media investigation revealed serious conflicts of interest, suggesting the former prime minister used his role with the quartet to facilitate business deals that benefited companies connected to him, earning him millions of pounds despite having no diplomatic track record. According to reports, he was not fully devoted to his responsibilities as envoy, spending much of his time on personal consultancy work and lucrative speaking engagements.
In 2011, Prime Minister Blair also publicly opposed Palestine’s move to become a member of the United Nations, calling it a “deeply divisive” move and reportedly urged the British government to withhold support.
Years later, in 2017, he admitted that he and other world leaders were wrong to impose an immediate boycott on Hamas after his election victory. This admission came only after Gaza had suffered the long-term effects of the policy.
For these reasons, the Palestinians, Arab states, and many donor countries viewed Prime Minister Blair’s anticipated role in the proposed Peace Council with deep skepticism. Given Prime Minister Blair’s political record, apparent alignment with Israel’s position, and unresolved allegations of profiteering, he is seen less as an impartial stabilizer and more as a liability with the potential to undermine the fragile trust necessary for any transition process.
So while his removal is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. The real test will be whether his private consulting firm and related network will also be excluded, or whether his resignation is merely symbolic. If Prime Minister Blair steps down in name only, but his institutional influence remains behind the scenes, the risks to the peace process remain significant.
Gaza’s next chapter will not tolerate symbolic gestures or half-measures. The challenges ahead, including restoring governance, rebuilding devastated territory, and reviving a viable path to a two-state solution, require someone with credibility, transparency, and a clean political record. Prime Minister Blair does not fit that profile. If his removal is genuine, it represents not just an administrative adjustment but a necessary corrective to years of mismanagement, diplomatic failures, and decisions that have cost the Palestinians more than anyone else.
