Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair is back in the international spotlight as he returns to the global stage as the head of a body in charge of rebuilding the Gaza Strip. He served as Britain's prime minister for 10 years and brokered the Northern Ireland peace agreement, earning recognition for his mediation skills. Observers say this comeback is not a mere extension of his past career but meaningful because it could directly influence the direction of postwar Gaza and the Middle East diplomatic landscape.
According to CNN and others on the 1st (local time), the international community has called Blair back because of his extensive diplomatic experience and global network. After stepping down as prime minister, Blair served as envoy for the Middle East Quartet (the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations). From 2007 to 2015, he supported efforts to improve the Palestinian economy and institutions, working on the ground in the Middle East for eight years. Analysts say that experience could be an advantage in carrying out the current Gaza reconstruction mission.
Views on Blair's return, however, are divided. He strongly supported the George W. Bush administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq and took Britain into the war. At the time, he cited the "weapons of mass destruction threat," but a subsequent independent inquiry found the threat had been exaggerated. In the end, no weapons of mass destruction were found, and the Iraq war left only prolonged turmoil. As a result, Blair faced fierce criticism at home and abroad, and the controversy over "war responsibility" still casts a dark shadow over his political legacy. In the U.K., hundreds of thousands marched in the streets, and former diplomats publicly criticized his pro-U.S. diplomacy.
Palestinian opposition is also strong. During his time as Quartet envoy, Blair faced criticism for being biased toward Israel, and Nabil Shaath, the former chief Palestinian negotiator, noted, "Blair focused on meeting Israel's demands and achieved nothing for the Palestinians." Hamas leaders also struck directly, saying, "Blair is a figure unwelcome in Palestinian society," warning that the appointment itself would be a bad sign.
Even so, the international community is focusing on Blair's negotiating experience and connections. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), which Blair founded, is said to have already been in contact with key players such as the Trump administration and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it studied scenarios for postwar Gaza reconstruction. The Financial Times (FT) reported that internal discussions at the institute even raised suspicions that the issue of relocating Palestinian residents had been examined, but the institute denied this, stressing that "any reconstruction plan is premised on local resettlement."
Blair praised President Trump's Middle East peace blueprint as "bold and intelligent," arguing it could guarantee a better future for Gaza residents while ensuring Israel's lasting security. The remarks are seen as suggesting he believes he is positioned to mediate the interests among the United States, Israel and Gulf states. In fact, Blair has maintained close ties with the UAE and is also known to have discussed Gaza reconstruction plans at the White House with Jared Kushner, the former senior adviser.
Supporters believe his persuasiveness and network will be an asset in the complex negotiations over Gaza's reconstruction. They see Blair as suitable because an experienced mediator is needed to coordinate a rebuilding effort entangled with international aid funds and political interests. Opponents counter that it will be hard for him to gain trust due to factors such as responsibility for the Iraq war, allegations of bias toward Israel, and the lack of results from his past envoy work. In particular, Palestinian public opinion finds it hard to accept him, raising concerns that he could become a flashpoint in the actual reconstruction process.
A Middle East policy expert said, "Blair has the asset of negotiating experience and an international network, but he also bears the burden of responsibility for the Iraq war," adding, "Depending on what results he achieves in the reconstruction process, his highs and lows will be reassessed."