JEREMY Corbyn has panned the appointment of Tony Blair as interim leader of Gaza, saying it is "not up to" Donald Trump, Blair or Benjamin Netanyahu to decide the future of the enclave
His comments come after the US and Israel agreed upon plans which would see Blair installed as leader of the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), a body which would be the territory’s “supreme political and legal authority” for as long as five years and without any direct involvement of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The US and Israel announced a peace plan on Monday where, if both sides agree, there will be an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to “the agreed upon line”, and the release of all the hostages, followed by the release of Palestinian prisoners and a surge of aid into Gaza.
Corbyn slammed the involvement of Blair, who led the UK into the illegal Iraq war during his time as Prime Minister, saying: “Tony Blair’s catastrophic decision to invade Iraq cost thousands upon thousands of lives.
“He shouldn’t be anywhere near the Middle East, let alone Gaza.
“It is not up to Blair, Trump or Netanyahu to decide the future of Gaza. That is up to the people of Palestine.”
Tony Blair’s catastrophic decision to invade Iraq cost thousands upon thousands of lives. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the Middle East, let alone Gaza. It is not up to Blair, Trump or Netanyahu to decide the future of Gaza. That is up to the people of Palestine.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 29, 2025
Trump's 20-point plan will see aid pour into the Gaza Strip "consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025 agreement regarding humanitarian aid", but only if Hamas accept the deal.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer criticised the move, saying: “Conditioning aid on acceptance of this 'offer' is admitting to the war crime of forced starvation.
"That's before getting to the absurdity of demanding that all of Gaza be put under the direct personal control of Trump and Tony Blair.”
Economist Yanis Varoufakis said it "must be rejected forthwith", adding that the "arrogant, dangerous Trump-Netanyahu plan" must be shot down.
TRUMP'S PERSONAL ANNEXATION OF GAZA, UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF TONY BLAIR, IS THE US-ISRAEL CONDITION FOR PAUSING THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA. IT MUST BE REJECTED FORTHWITH! The Trump-Netanyahu plan would be laughable if it weren't so dangerous for World Peace. To pause the genocide,…
— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) September 30, 2025
First Minister John Swinney said he welcomed "all diplomatic efforts" to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and said that the US is "uniquely capable" of influencing geopolitical events.
However he added: "The entire international community must continue to use all its energy to persuade and pressurise prime minister Netanyahu to end the violence and return to a peace process. There were encouraging signs at the United Nations General Assembly, but decisive action is still required.
“As Israel’s military action in Gaza City continues to cause death and displacement, a ceasefire must be declared immediately, all hostages released and the flow of humanitarian aid increased. I continue to share the concerns of other countries and international leaders that a genocide appears to be unfolding in Gaza. The Israeli government must commit to end the killing and comply with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes.
“Following that, a two-state solution is the only option that can provide lasting peace, prosperity and security for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel.
“Hamas must play no role in the future of that Palestinian state. I have consistently and unequivocally condemned the brutal terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in October 2023 and repeat my previous calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”
