Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, that he remains a firm believer in a two-state solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict, but that it will only happen "when the economics and politics are right."
Speaking to Kushner at the Bahrain conference on Wednesday, Blair said the "Peace to Prosperity" plan was a good basis for doing the economics, but that a "deep cultural acceptance" on both the Israeli and Palestinian side was needed for the politics to work.
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When asked by Kushner what he thinks will happen in Gaza, given that Hamas is more concerned about "the destruction" of Israel than the well being of its own citizens, Blair said that the situation in Gaza is "a tragedy."
"One of the things that I'm pleased about with the (Peace to Prosperity) plan is that you do focus a lot on Gaza. I think what happens in Gaza is a tragedy. Before we get a long-term solution, I would like to see a short-term agreement where the violence can be halted. That we get the necessary construction going into Gaza," Blair said.
A unified Palestinian leadership is desirable, the former British Prime Minister continued, but it needs to be unified around peace.
The Middle East, Blair said, has come to realize that it's up to the Israelis and Palestinians to solve the conflict in the end.
