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Tony Blair tells EU foreign ministers that Israel is ready to ease Gaza blockade

Quartet Representative Tony Blair briefed EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg Monday on the situation in Gaza and Israel’s decision to greatly ease the blockade.

“In the conversations I’ve had with the Israeli Prime Minister there is now, in principle, agreement” for Israel to allow goods in, Tony Blair told reporters after the meeting. 

"They will maintain the blockade with respect to arms and combat material but they are prepared to let in goods that are necessary for people's ordinary lives," he added.

Tony Blair explained that Israel would abolish its list of items allowed to enter Gaza and instead draw up a list of prohibited items.

"After my talks (with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), there is now in principle a commitment by Israel to move to such a list,"

Tony Blair told reporters: "This is a significant change … I believe and hope that we can, over this next period of days, reach a situation where we get a policy in respect of Gaza that is right for Israel's security (and) is humane to the people in Gaza."

The Quartet Representative added: "Most of all we must give the people of Gaza some hope, some help and some prospects.

"I believe and hope that we can reach a situation where we get a policy with regard to Gaza which is right regarding security, and regarding the people of Gaza and which gives the people of Gaza eventually the prospects of joining a two-state solution."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he was engaged in discussions on ways to meet Gaza's humanitarian needs while preventing the entry of arms into the area.