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Netanyahu backs Trump’s peace plan for Gaza – as role for Blair revealed
The White House has unveiled its peace plan for Gaza – which includes a senior role for Sir Tony Blair.
The 20-point plan was released by the US government just minutes before Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint news conference on Monday evening.
As it happened: Trump unveils peace plan
The plan states that if the fighting ends, Gaza will be placed under the control of a transitional government headed by Mr Trump and others, including former British prime minister Sir Tony.
The president described him as a “good man”, while the ex-Labour leader commended the “bold” plan.
It says Gaza will “be a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours”, with no role for Hamas in its future governance, and will be “redeveloped for the benefit of” its people.
It also says nobody will be forced to leave Gaza and states there will be increased aid to the enclave. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza, it says.
The remaining Israeli hostages being held by Hamas must be released within 72 hours, the plan states. It says this will be followed by Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
Read more: What we know about Trump’s plan
Tony Blair will have a big role in governing Gaza, if Trump’s plan goes ahead. File pic: Reuters
Speaking at the White House, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu said to Mr Trump: “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims.”
“It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities and its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” he said.
Hamas said on Monday evening it only received the peace plan after it was unveiled at the White House.
It has said it cannot sign up to anything that does not include Palestinian self-determination, and has dismissed any disarmament so long as Israeli occupation of Gaza continues.
Adam Parsons analysis: Hamas’ first reaction is telling
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Analysis: Will Trump’s Gaza peace plan work?
Sir Keir Starmer said the initiative is “profoundly welcome” and he is “grateful” for Mr Trump’s leadership.
“We strongly support his efforts to end the fighting, release the hostages and ensure the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza,” said the British prime minister.
“This is our top priority and should happen immediately.”
The Israeli foreign ministry earlier took a swipe at the UK for Labour Party members voting to accept Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, which has placed pressure on the government to do the same.
“The world stands with the US and Israel in their efforts to end the war,” it said.
“Labour stands with Hamas. It is a disgrace for Britain that this is the party in power.”
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Trump envoy Witkoff ‘hopeful’ on Gaza plan
Blair ‘a good man’, says Trump
The US president singled out Sir Tony for praise, labelling him a “good man” as he named him one of the political figures who would be on Gaza’s transitional governing body.
Mr Trump said “leaders that are very distinguished” would be on the board, adding: “And one of the people that wants to be on the board is the UK former prime minister Tony Blair. Good man, very good man. And some others.”
Mr Trump said the body will be called the “Board of Peace”, with other members to be named in the coming days.
Sir Tony attended a meeting with Mr Trump and others to discuss the future of Gaza in August.
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Many in Labour won’t like it but Blair is an experienced Middle East power broker
Blair has been one of the “key architects” of the peace plan, including visiting the White House in recent months.
His history in the Middle East – the invasion of Iraq in 2003 – hangs over him, but the former PM does have experience in the area.
Going back to the 1990s, nearly 30 years ago, he was involved in talks with PLO leader Yasser Arafat and others to try to bring peace to the Middle East.
When he left Number 10 in 2007, he became a Middle East envoy for what was known as the quartet – the EU, US, Russia and the United Nations.
He gets on well with Benjamin Netanyahu – that’s another crucial factor.
While many in Labour will not be happy with Blair’s involvement, it is clear to see why the likes of Netanyahu and Trump will approve of it.
This is because Blair is an experienced negotiator and power broker in the region.
Think back to the Good Friday Agreement, his role in Kosovo and Sierra Leone – he’s always wanted to tackle these seemingly intractable international problems.
After resigning as prime minister in 2007, Sir Tony was appointed as the international community’s special envoy to the Middle East with the goal of helping develop the Palestinian economy and institutions in order to prepare the groundwork for a Palestinian state.
However, he struggled to deliver dramatic changes in the role and resigned in 2015.
In a statement issued after the White House’s announcement, Sir Tony said the US plan is “bold and intelligent”.
“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,” he said.
World leaders welcome Trump’s plan
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt welcomed the plan.
The ministers – along with their counterparts from Pakistan, Turkey, and Indonesia – said they were ready to cooperate positively with the US and other relevant parties.