Jerusalem
Tony Blair was only mildly optimistic this week as he began his new role as Middle East envoy. “I think there is a sense of possibility,” Blair said, “but whether that sense of possibility can be translated into something, that is something that needs to be worked at and thought about over time.” The former British prime minister was appointed by the so-called Middle East Quartet—Russia, the U.S., the E.U., and the U.N.—to help the Palestinians assemble the economic and political tools they need to build a state. He’s not mandated to discuss the overarching problems that must be resolved, such as borders, refugees, or the status of Jerusalem. Nor is he allowed to meet members of Hamas, the militant Islamist party that won Palestinian elections last year and has since taken over Gaza. As a first step this week, Blair met separately with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and Arab ministers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Controversial GOP plan to sell millions of federal acres hits major roadblockIN THE SPOTLIGHT Republican Sen. Mike Lee says he'll revisit legislation to sell millions of acres of federally held land to create 'freedom zones' of single family homes
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
5 high-concept animated science fiction shows for grown-upsThe Week Recommends How filmmakers are using a different medium to bring visionary science fiction to life
