The fluttering white dove
In the years since Tony Blair first became Prime Minister there has been no enduring progress in resolving the Israel-Palestine problem. Quite the reverse. Britain’s reputation in the region has suffered greatly, not only because of Iraq. Our ability to sell ourselves as the influential bridge to the United States has been shown to be one of virtually non-existent influence. Everybody, in Israel or the Arab world, knows this to be true.
Tony Blair is no longer a head of government. Without the real will and determination of Washington, nothing will happen. Northern Ireland’s problems were not resolved by charisma, charm or eye-catching initiatives, but by patient hard work over many years. All the members of the Quartet carry baggage in varying degrees. One country which has universal credibility is Turkey, secular yet Islamic, which enjoys excellent relations with Israel and its neighbours. If there is going to be a broker, it should be Turkey, backed by all those who do not want to see civil wars engulfing the region.
I suspect that if any outside influences can be successfully deployed, this route will yield much better results.
Meanwhile, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good bye Tony.