Tony Blair hails Trump’s Gaza proposal as ‘best chance’ to end war

WASHINGTON — Former UK prime minister Tony Blair welcomes the US proposal for ending the Gaza war, which envisions him serving on an international advisory board headed by US President Donald Trump that will oversee a transitional government of Palestinian technocrats responsible for administering Gaza after the war.

“President Trump has put down a bold and intelligent plan which, if agreed, can end the war, bring immediate relief to Gaza, the chance of a brighter and better future for its people, whilst ensuring Israel’s absolute and enduring security and the release of all hostages,” Blair says in his first public statement on the issue.

“It offers us the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering and I thank President Trump for his leadership, determination and commitment,” Blair says.

“In particular, [Trump’s] willingness to chair the Board of Peace to oversee the new Gaza is a huge signal of support and confidence in the future of Gaza, of the possibility of Israelis and Palestinians finding a path to peace, and of the potential for a broader regional and global alliance to counter the forces of extremism and promote peace and prosperity between nations,” adds the former British premier.

The US plan borrows heavily from Blair’s own proposal to create a transitional Palestinian government to administer the Strip after the war, which was first revealed by The Times of Israel.