Latest News

Political negotiation must match 'real world' Palestinians and Israelis are living in

Quartet Representative Tony Blair has said he is "optimistic" direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians will start within weeks so long as there is a bottom-up approach to state building to support the political negotiations.

"My belief all the way through - and it's even stronger today than three years ago - is we will not get this issue settled unless we have a bottom-up approach matching the political negotiation," Mr Blair told Sky News, noting that there has been double digit growth on the West Bank, combined with falling unemployment.

He said: "That means a bottom-up approach on security, on capacity and on the economy. There are a lot of people who would say this optimism is wildly misplaced, but I actually think my experience in the last three years shows we know what works.

"What works is the Palestinians building the institutions, the security, the rule of law, the capacity for statehood. And the Israelis, as a result of that, allowing the Palestinians greater freedom of movement - and greater chance to develop their economy - so a political negotiation doesn't appear to be on a different planet from the real world in which Palestinians and Israelis are living."

Sky News also spoke businessman Jamal Nemir who is investing tens of millions in new building projects. A few months ago Mr Blair laid the foundation stone for one of Mr Nemir's hotels.

Speaking in the town of Ramallah, Mr Nemir told Sky News he realised he was taking a big financial risk, but believes the West Bank has turned a corner and is building towards a better future.

He said: "There's only going to be one Palestinian state that's negotiable and that's Gaza and the West Bank together, so we've got to provide change in Gaza. Israel can't make peace with two different entities so it is a problem, but there are solutions to it in my view. It's a big challenge."

After Israel announced the easing of its economic blockade of Gaza a month ago, Mr Blair has now renewed calls for Hamas to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who they have been holding for four years.

Mr Blair added: "One big test for Hamas, frankly, would be if they released this Israeli soldier. They don't even allow the Red Cross to see him. It's a very cruel, inhumane thing to do actually. There are ways Hamas could also signal that it wanted to be part of this and step forward a bit."

And Mr Blair said he is "optimistic" direct talks are a realistic possibility in the near future - and he is confident they can yield something.