DAVOS, Jan 26: Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair said he believed both Israelis and Palestinians wanted peace and a deal could be brokered by the end of this year.

“I think it’s doable this year if people want to do it,” Blair, the former British prime minister, said.

Blair is peace envoy to the Quartet of Middle East mediators, which includes the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.

“You could get a peace deal. It’s not impossible to work out what the basic principles of the agreement are, and both sides want to reach an agreement,” Blair said at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

“But what is necessary in order to get the politicians to the point where they can do the deal is to have sufficient confidence on the ground from people that the security situation for the Israelis can be improved and the occupation can be lifted for the Palestinians,” he said.

He said it was essential to address the security concerns of the Israelis and that occupation of the Palestinian territories can be gradually lifted.

“If you could however get that different situation going, and you could get the basic principles of a political deal in place, this thing could move incredibly quickly.”—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...