Former British prime ministers may ‘team up’ in search of Gaza peace
Two British former prime ministers have been privately urged by senior Arab diplomats to work together to influence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and achieve a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, sources have told The National.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Tony Blair “could team up to give a real push to the ceasefire talks”, a diplomat said. “They have the skills to build trust across the region for a new initiative to start after that.”
The pair are understood to have informally discussed the possibility of helping to bring about a ceasefire in the conflict.
Mr Blair’s involvement was revealed by Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell, who said the former Labour prime minister would hold talks with Mr Netanyahu.
“Nothing official has happened as yet but it is quite possible that the two former prime ministers have had their own personal discussions on resolving the crisis,” a senior Whitehall official told The National.
“Clearly Tony Blair has got a lot of experience in the Middle East, both as prime minister and since leaving office, but I’m not aware that we’re formally in touch with him.
“As two former prime ministers they will meet at formal events and discuss world issues.”
During Mr Cameron’s term at No 10, from 2010 to 2016, he is said to have met Mr Blair to seek advice on international affairs. Mr Blair served as a peace envoy in the region between 2007 and 2015, and focused his efforts largely on development and prosperity in the occupied West Bank.
“There have been regular discussions between our Prime Minister [Rishi Sunak] and Prime Minister Netanyahu,” Mr Mitchell said. “The Foreign Secretary has been part of those discussions too. I think Sir Tony Blair is seeing Prime Minister Netanyahu shortly too,” he told MPs.
A representative of Mr Blair was unable to disclose his travel plans. “We have said previously that Mr Blair has an office in Israel, has continued to work on issues regarding Israel and the Palestinians and that he is discussing the situation with a number of people in the region and elsewhere to see what can be done,” the representative said.
The Daily Telegraph reported last month that Mr Blair had not “offered or taken” a role as intermediary, but could not rule out that he may accept such a position.
Lt Gen Sir Simon Mayall, who was Mr Cameron’s military adviser on the Middle East, said the Foreign Secretary “understood the complexities” of the region, and suggested that the two former leaders could be a “powerful force for peace”.
“We all want to bring this current violence in Israel and Palestine to an end, so having two heavy hitters, with access and understanding of the issues and plenty of exposure at the very highest level in their times as prime minister can only be very helpful and a powerful force for peace.
“We are really hopeful that the likes of Cameron and Blair with their track record and credibility can convince other important players in the Middle East to actively engage and give us a long-term solution,” Lt Gen Mayall said.
As prime minister, Cameron is understood to have sought advice from Blair on international affairs