Tony Blair: ‘Fanatics must be sidelined’

Tony Blair, Middle East Quartet representative and former British prime minister, says “extremists must not be allowed to exploit the events of the last weeks to spark a further escalation in violence.”

In a condemnation of the death of the East Jerusalem teenager, Blair says: “There is no possible justification for such a horrendous act — and the perpetrators must be found swiftly and brought to justice.

“I am very worried by the unrest in Jerusalem and the West Bank, including assaults on Palestinians, ‘price tag’ attacks and settler violence that cannot be tolerated. The recent tragic loss of lives on both sides of this conflict reminds us of what is at stake. The fanatics must be sidelined, and the Israeli and Palestinian leaders must continue their pursuit for a negotiated settlement that will bring about peace and security for their citizens.”