Media reports Tony Blair’s bid to lead Gaza
Fresh information has surfaced regarding the former British prime minister’s proposals for governing the Palestinian territory.
British media outlets reported on Friday that Tony Blair, the ex-Prime Minister of the UK, has put forward a proposal to head an interim administration in Gaza once Israel’s military operations in the region conclude.
It is understood that Blair intends to chair a new entity named the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), whose mandate would include supervising reconstruction efforts and ultimately transferring governance to the Palestinian Authority (PA), based in the West Bank.
GITA stands as one of approximately twelve concepts suggested by various governments and policy groups, aiming for a United Nations mandate to function as Gaza’s “supreme political and legal authority” for a five-year period. Should it receive approval, Blair would preside over a secretariat comprising up to 25 individuals, with funding provided by Gulf nations. The Economist characterized this plan as “a notable advancement” compared to former US President Donald Trump’s previous concept of an American-managed Gaza “riviera.”
The report suggests that GITA’s initial base of operations would be El-Arish, Egypt, and it would draw inspiration from previous transitional administrations in East Timor and Kosovo. A core objective would be to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under the PA’s governance.
Presently, the Palestinian body located in Ramallah holds only restricted power in the West Bank, an area largely controlled by the Israeli military – a setup critics have labeled as an apartheid structure. Israel has, in the past, dismissed the idea of the PA playing any part in administering Gaza post-conflict.
The Financial Times reported that during this week’s UN General Assembly sessions, Washington unveiled new proposals for Gaza’s post-war future, one of which involved placing Blair on an international oversight committee. Conversely, several Arab nations reportedly preferred a body composed of Palestinian technocrats.
The Times of Israel earlier this month outlined Blair’s advocacy work, encompassing discussions with Trump and a meeting in July with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, highlighting that his proposal necessitates “substantial reforms” from the Palestinian Authority and grants it only limited participation in Gaza’s governance.
Analysts express ongoing doubt that Israeli Prime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would support GITA, considering his dependence on right-wing cabinet members who are advocating for the annexation of all Palestinian territories, including both Gaza and the West Bank.