Blair: 'Sense of possibility' in Mideast
Quartet envoy says he has come to region 'to listen, learn and reflect' during two days of meetings with Israeli, Palestinian leaders, but adds he already senses a willingness by sides to make progress. Opposition leader Netanyahu warns him against Iran, its branches in Middle East
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, making his first public comments as the international community's Mideast peace envoy, urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders Tuesday to take advantage of a new "sense of possibility" in the region.
Blair, who arrived in Israel on Monday, said he had come "to listen, learn and reflect" during two days of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. But he said he already senses a willingness by the sides to make progress.
"I think there is a sense of possibility, 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," Blair said after meeting Israeli President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem.
Earlier, Blair met with opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who told him that "Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is a branch of Iran and cannot exist for two days without the Iranians' support.
"Nasrallah is not an independent agent, but he is a boastful agent and I suggest that he stop boasting," Netanyahu told Blair.
The Quartet envoy was also scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah. On Tuesday evening, he is set to return to Jerusalem and meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Netanyahu said following the meeting that Blair agreed with him that the greatest threat in the region was from Tehran.
"Iran's nuclear arming endangers the Middle East and the entire world," he added. "Blair would of course like to see progress here (on the Palestinian issue) in order to create a large front against Iran. I told him that in order to progress here we must change the way we think. Peace will not bring prosperity, prosperity will bring peace."
Netanyahu and Blair (Photo: AFP)
The opposition leader told Blair that he was planning a series of economic projects which could be used by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians to change reality and create an interest in peace.
"But if anyone believes that today, under the existing conditions, we could ask the Palestinian leadership to prevent danger and fight Hamas, they are wrong," he said.
"The leadership is too weak. I suggest that we leave security in the IDF's hands and start launching projects of economic prosperity. These two elements – security and prosperity – can start changing reality."
Netanyahu stressed that Hamas should be economically isolated and that its regime should be brought down. The Quartet envoy replied that he hoped progress in the Middle East would lead to the creation of a moderate coalition against Iran and agreed that Iran's nuclear arming process threatened world peace.
Peres: Israelis support two-state solution
The opposition leader also said that the Palestinian society was split due to corruption on the one hand and radical Islam on the other hand, which was the product of corruption.
"If we want the Palestinian society to advance, this will not happen through peace agreements that will lead to prosperity and reduce corruption. On the contrary, we must assimilate a process of economic growth, which could make the other conflicts indistinct. It happened in Northern Ireland, and it can also happen here on a different level."
President Peres said at the end of hid meeting with Blair, "There is a real chance to succeed here, and we don't have a lot of time. I am not degrading the difficulties we face, but I believe that we can bypass the uncertainty and concerns.
"There is a possibility to promote peace. What Blair is facing is a mission rather than work. He has the ability and the dignity to deal with this complicated situation. We will help you because it also helps us."
During the meeting between the two officials, Peres also told Blair that he must understand that "the Israeli people are ready to reach a real solution with the Palestinians.
"I do not degrade the difficulties, but we are facing a real and great opportunity and we must not let it pass. I promise you that all Israeli officials will cooperate with you and will help you carry out you mission. This is also a golden opportunity for economic cooperation."
Peres concluded by saying that "there is a very large band in the Middle East, many sounds and voices. Now we need a good conductor for peace. There is great willingness for peace in Israel. Both the Right and the Left know that there is no other solution but two states for two people."
