Bishara Bahbah, president of Americans for Peace, expressed strong reservations about recent statements made by Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister and member of the Peace Council, regarding future arrangements for the Gaza Strip. Bahbah pointed out that Blair's proposal, which grants Israel the right to inspect and test the new police force in the Strip, entrenches security dependence on the occupation and undermines the concept of independent governance.
In press statements, Bahbah considered that Tony Blair's political record, especially his controversial role in the invasion and destruction of Iraq, strips him of the necessary credibility to play the role of mediator or supervisor in the Arab region. He clarified that figures associated with previous colonial files cannot gain the trust of the Palestinian street or regional powers in shaping the future of the war-torn Strip.
The president of Americans for Peace warned that Israel seeks to remain an effective controlling power in the details of life in the Gaza Strip, exploiting American influence that grants it broad powers in the Middle East. He believed that the Peace Council seems compelled to follow Israeli dictates, which transforms reconstruction efforts into a tool to enhance security control instead of achieving true stability.
Regarding the humanitarian aspect, Bahbah affirmed that the declared goal of the Peace Council is to provide shelter, food, and clothing for Gaza residents, but these efforts will remain insufficient unless Israeli security control is ended. He stressed that sending any international stabilization forces will not be effective or acceptable if Israel remains the party that determines the rules of engagement and movement within the Strip's borders.
Bahbah emphasized the necessity for the technocratic committee responsible for reconstruction to deal directly with the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate representative of Palestinians. He explained that bypassing the Authority at this stage threatens national sovereignty and creates a state of administrative duality that primarily aims to satisfy the Israeli side at the expense of independent Palestinian political decision.
Bahbah described the field situation in Gaza as tragic, noting that the international momentum promoted by the Peace Council has not yet translated into tangible improvement in citizens' lives. He added that humanitarian aid still arrives in drips and does not meet basic needs, which has made the Palestinian people almost entirely dependent on international organizations in the absence of a clear political horizon.
The discussion touched upon the ceasefire agreement signed last October, where Bahbah pointed to the stalled implementation of the second phase, which includes the withdrawal of occupation forces and securing the entry of international forces. He affirmed that postponing these steps for several months weakens the effectiveness of the Peace Council and proves that Israel continues to procrastinate in fulfilling its international obligations to ensure the continuation of its military grip.
Regarding the disarmament of the resistance, Bahbah explained that the guarantees provided to the Hamas movement are insufficient in light of daily Israeli violations, which makes the movement hesitant to hand over its military capabilities. He concluded by emphasizing that the success of any reconstruction process requires serious and comprehensive negotiations that ensure a national administrative role that protects the security of the residents and prevents the renewal of armed conflict in the future.
Blair's political background and involvement in the destruction of Iraq make him an untrustworthy figure on both the Arab and international levels regarding the Gaza issue.
שתף את דעתך
Bishara Bahbah attacks Tony Blair's role in Gaza: His history in Iraq makes him untrustworthy