A PLAN to make Tony Blair the interim leader of Gaza has been described as “nothing short of insane” by the SNP.
Under the plans – which are backed by the White House, according to reports – the former UK prime minister would reportedly lead a body called the Gaza International Transitional Authority (Gita) that would be Gaza’s “supreme political and legal authority” for as long as five years.
Brendan O’Hara, the SNP’s Middle East spokesperson, said that if the international community has “any remaining concern, any ounce of empathy, any shred of humanity for the people of Palestine – this can never be allowed to happen”.
The party also challenged Keir Starmer to immediately make clear that he will move to “block” any leadership role for Tony Blair in Gaza and questioned whether the UK Labour Government knew about talks involving Blair and Gaza's future, and if they authorised them.
The National previously reported on how Blair joined Trump in a White House meeting to discuss plans for the future of Gaza in August.
"I imagine most people will have read these reports and thought they were a sick joke – it is nothing short of insane that this is actually being seriously discussed,” O’Hara said.
"The very idea that Tony Blair would be imposed on the people of Gaza after suffering a genocide is disgusting. If we have any remaining concern, any ounce of empathy, any shred of humanity for the people of Palestine – this can never be allowed to happen.”
He added: “Tony Blair has a shameful legacy in the Middle East – the man responsible for an illegal war resulting in unimaginable slaughter and bloodshed. He is literally one of the last people on earth who should be anywhere near a peace plan.
“Earlier this year it was exposed that Tony Blair's own institute has been involved with a group developing a plan which amounts to ethnic cleansing in the Gaza strip – the thought that he would be put in charge of implementing such a plan is terrifying.
“These reports also raise serious questions for Keir Starmer – did the UK Labour Government know about these sick plans, have they discussed them with Tony Blair, did they authorise them?
"If this plan is actually in the works - Keir Starmer needs to come out and make clear that he will block any appointment of Tony Blair.
“Instead of focusing on the sickening thought of lining up jobs for Tony Blair in Gaza – the UK Government should stop arming Israel.”
