Israeli media reports on the appointment of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as the person in charge of the Palestinian displacement file from Gaza have sparked widespread anger and condemnation at both the public and official levels. Blair’s history is filled with crimes against Arab peoples, and his country was a major contributor to the ongoing tragedy of the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release that it is following with significant concern the Israeli media's coverage of Blair's appointment to head a team for what the Israeli government calls the "voluntary evacuation" of Gaza residents, including conducting consultations with some countries to receive them as refugees. The Ministry emphasized that this constitutes an Israeli crime and a continuation of displacement since the Nakba.
In turn, the Palestinian Presidency expressed its outright rejection of what it called the "suspect attempt" to assign Blair to oversee the displacement of citizens from Gaza, denouncing the act as condemnable and unacceptable. The Presidency views Blair as continuing the legacy of the Balfour Declaration.
The Palestinian Presidency has called on the British government to not allow "this tampering" with the fate and future of the Palestinian people. It also appealed to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, to do what is possible to prevent these actions that violate international law and legitimacy.
The Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, affirmed that anyone involved in Israeli criminal activities aiming at displacing Palestinians will face legal consequences.
On social media, many recalled Blair's crimes in the Arab region, particularly his role in the Iraq War and his hands being stained with the blood of Iraqis, without being held accountable to date.
European Parliament member Mike Wallace referred to Blair as a "war criminal", adding that someone with his history is well suited for the Israeli government, which is engaged in genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Conversely, an institute associated with Blair denied the Israeli reports about his new role, calling the claim a lie. The institute insisted that Gaza residents must be able to stay in their homeland, as stated in the institute's communication.
Activists view Blair's rush to deny as confirming the extent to which Israel's plans are detested, to the point that it prompts a "war criminal" like Blair to distance himself, even if only through declarations.
Blair had served as the Prime Minister of the UK from 1997 to 2007, during which he dispatched troops to Afghanistan and involved his country in the US-led invasion of Iraq, despite opposition from the British public.
Widespread condemnation for proposing Tony Blair as responsible for the displacement of Palestinians #الجزيرة_مباشر #غزة_لحظة_بلحظة
— Al Jazeera Mubasher (@ajmubasher) January 2, 2024
