Blame ‘not the issue’ in Middle East crisis
The crisis escalating in the Middle East is an “inevitable consequence” of a failure to resolve the Israeli-Palestine conflict, Tony Blair said today.
The prime minister said international leaders could “condemn all we like” but the only solution would be to work for a two-state solution in which both countries would be empowered to resolve the issue themselves.
He was speaking as Israeli attacks on Lebanon intensified, as it continues its search for two soldiers captured by the military wing of Hizbullah earlier this week. Yesterday, it blockaded the Beirut airport and ports up and down the country.
The international community’s response to the crisis has been split – the US said Israel has the right to defend itself, although it warned against destabilising Lebanon, but the EU said its response was “disproportionate” and condemned the air and sea blockades.
But today Mr Blair insisted: “People can argue about the rights and wrongs of the present situation.but this situation isn’t going to be resolved by what we say as international leaders but what we do.
“We’ve got to mobilise the international community to try to get into a place where the two-state solution can be brought about. We can condemn as much as we like, but we’re not actually in that situation, we’re not having to take those decisions in that situation.”
Hizbullah has responded with further attacks on northern Israel, including Haifa, the first time they have been able to reach such a major city. The death toll in Lebanon is thought to have reached more than 50, most of them civilians.
Israel says it holds the Lebanese government entirely responsible for Hizbullah’s attack on Wednesday, in which eight Israeli soldiers were killed and two taken captive. The group has seats in the Lebanese parliament.
But the Beirut government has insisted Israel’s response was disproportionate and has urged the UN security council, which is meeting today, to call for ceasefire. A UN delegation is on its way to the region.
Questioned about the situation this morning, Mr Blair emphasised “just how serious I think this is”, and said the UN would attempt to “get some calm” so the region could get back to discussing the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
“I entirely understand the desire and need for Israel to defend itself properly but I also understand the plight of the Lebanese people and the Lebanese government, and the Palestinians that suffer as well,” he said.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper in London today, he said: “What is happening is absolutely tragic but what will happen is that the international community must empower both sides to resolve this.”
