World Jewish News

Tony Blair: the new leadership emerging in the Middle East among the Sunni states could create new alliances in the region

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed optimism that the new leadership emerging in the Middle East among the Sunni states could create new alliances in the region, new opportunities and positive long term change.

Blair was speaking at a conference in Jerusalem “From Balfour to Brexit”.

He said that in his conversations with Arab leaders he was seeing a new commitment to a “rule based economy” and the rule of law. He also said they recognised that the politicisation of Islam was a mistake and in the future one needs religious tolerance within society.

Blair said that “changes in the region are creating new alliances and new opportunities,” and that “there is an Arab leadership starting to formulate a view of their history which does not involve the demonisation of Israel.”

“For any government in Israel to make a deal with the Palestinians is tough unless there are regional underpinnings. Many in the region can be partners to help solve the situation and not just point the finger,” he said.

At the event, British and Israeli politicians spoke, including Isaac Herzog, leader of the Opposition and former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Many of the speakers focused on the UK-Israel relationship, against the backdrop the 100 year anniversary of the Balfour Declaration and the upcoming exit of Britain from the European Union. The Balfour Declaration announced support for the establishment of a "national home" for the Jewish people in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, in a letter dated 2 November 1917 from the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Walter Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community.

Opposition Leader Herzog, of British descent, talked about the possibility of emboldening the relationship. ‘There is a need to craft a new relationship where Israel becomes part of a moderate coalition to combat Iran and the jihadists,” Herzog said. “We can and should also look for ways to enhance cooperation between two successful economies.”

Tzipi Livni spoke about how the European Union’s linkage between their relationship with Israel and the peace process is problematic. “However, in the UK we find a better understanding of our security needs,” Livni said. In referring to the Palestinian Authority’s attempt to have the British Government apologize for the Balfour Declaration, Livni said: “I tell the Palestinians to try and change the future and not the past.”

Roderick Balfour, descendant of Lord Arthur Balfour, spoke about the pride his family has for the declaration signed by his ancestor. “I’m happy to come to Israel because I realize that the Balfour Declaration means an awful lot to Jews in Israel and the Diaspora,” Balfour said. “I see it very much as a humanitarian gesture against the background of what was happening at the time.”

During the conference, a new Sir Naim Dangoor Center for UK-Israel Relations was inaugurated at Mishkenot Sha’ananim by his son David Dangoor, businessman, philanthropist and former President of the Board of The S&P Sephardi Community, the oldest Jewish community in the UK spanning over 350 years.

David Dangoor spoke about the importance of UK-Israel relations and the need for such a center. “Clearly we know Brexit is going to change things, and the message from Prime Minister Theresa May and the government is very much we need to strengthen our good relations, especially with those countries which have excellent business technology and science, and Israel is a top candidate in that,” Dangoor said.

“So I felt that to put my father’s name there, and to bring Israel into an even more positive light in the UK and to help Britain strengthen its ties with Israel, were all great activities that we were delighted to be associated with.”

EJP