At a time when Tony Blair, envoy of the Middle East Quartet of the UN, the EU, the US and Russia, should be focusing on getting the Israelis and Palestinians to return to the negotiating table, we find the former British prime minister making the rounds at various functions and across countries giving very lucrative lectures.
If it were the case that Blair has been successful in his post (two years now and counting), we could excuse him for taking time out to cater to his personal fortune and, of course, to share his knowledge and experience with others, be they school children, university students or businessmen. But he has been ineffective as mediator and perhaps he is beginning to give up altogether indeed he may have abdicated his position as he has let down the besieged people of Gaza.
The negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis have reached an all time low, specifically since extremist Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to power. This past month marked the first anniversary of Israel's brutal and inhumane war on Gaza, which left over 1,400 Palestinians (including children and women) dead and thousands injured. What's more, the Israeli siege on Gaza continues unabated and Israel is showing no signs of reversing its illegal policies. One cannot help but wonder why, instead of travelling around the Middle East giving lectures and getting paid huge sums, Blair isn't standing side-by-side with the courageous group of volunteers who headed to Gaza as a way to bring attention to the Palestinians plight and to deliver much-needed aid.
Surely standing up for the end of the Gaza siege is part of Blair's job description.
What about the prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, which is yet to see the light of day with both sides blaming the other? Perhaps Blair could apply his ‘sharp' negotiating skills there and actually meet with all religious movements from both sides. The point is, Blair has a duty, as a ‘peace envoy' to make a difference and has so far failed himself and everyone else around him. It's high time he put some effort into this crucial but prestigious post.
