About OQR

The Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR) works with the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, international organisations and NGOs to help build the institutions and economy for a future Palestinian state. The OQR seeks to achieve the objective of the Quartet and Quartet Representative, Tony Blair: to promote an end to the Israel-Palestine conflict and bring stability to the Middle East.

The Quartet was established in 2002 and is composed of the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. In accordance with the Quartet’s mandate to him, Mr. Blair works with a team of international diplomats and development experts in Jerusalem and London. The OQR’s guiding principle is that improved social and economic conditions should promote increased confidence, trust and broad support by both Palestinians and Israelis for a just, lasting and credible peace agreement. Through sustained and intensive consultation with the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, the international community and civil society, the OQR works to secure a two-state solution, with two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders.

In support of a peaceful solution, the OQR follows a three-track approach:

  • Promoting the continuation of Israeli-Palestinian political negotiations within a credible timeframe;
  • Aiding transformative change on the ground, to improve the daily lives of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and to generate a positive atmosphere that will facilitate success in the political negotiations; and
  • Developing a new strategy for Gaza, including lifting the blockade, so that reconstruction can take place, legitimate business can prosper and the livelihoods of Palestinians living in Gaza improve.

This approach informs the following key OQR objectives:

  • Donor Assistance: Secure from international lenders and donors more timely, predictable and adequate funding for the Palestinian Authority budget and priority areas;
  • Private Sector Development: Enhance Palestinian economic and social development including vigorous Palestinian private sector expansion;
  • Movement, Access and Trade Facilitation: Lift obstacles and restrictions to access and movement of goods and people to, from and within the West Bank and Gaza;
  • Gaza Development: Support a ‘ground up’ development process in Gaza by enabling movement and access for imports and exports to all markets, promoting the development of the legitimate Gazan private sector and expediting the rehabilitation and construction of key infrastructure;
  • Area C: Expand access to and facilitate development of Palestinian land designated under the Oslo Accords as “Area C”, which makes up 60 percent of the West Bank;
  • Rule of Law: Help the Palestinian Authority strengthen its rule of law capacity and develop strong and well-integrated security and justice institutions with clearly-defined mandates;
  • East Jerusalem: Improve the economic and social conditions of Palestinians living and working in East Jerusalem; and
  • Tourism: Mobilise local and international support to tap the significant Holy Land tourism potential and create a more prosperous, balanced, robust and accessible tourism sector.
  • To learn more about the OQR’s key strategies in these areas, visit the ‘Our Strategy’ pages on this website.

Who We Are

The Quartet Representative’s team of OQR advisers is led by:

  • Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, Head of Mission (seconded by the US State Department)
  • Dr. Daniel Arghiros, Deputy Head of Mission (seconded by the British Department of International Development) 

OQR advisers based in Jerusalem:

  • Mr. Rami Dajani, Rule of Law (Security) Adviser
  • Mr. Henrik Denker, Infrastructure Adviser
  • Mr. Awad Duaibes, Political & Media Adviser
  • Mr. Neil Kritz, Rule of Law (Justice) Adviser
  • Dr. Firas Raad, Development Adviser (seconded by the World Bank)
  • Mr. Bader Rock, Private Sector & Trade Policy Adviser
  • Mr. Hadi Abu Shahla, Development Adviser
  • Mr. Charles Steel, Finance & Business Development Adviser
  • Mr. Stefan Szepesi, Economic Adviser
  • Dr. Tim Williams, Movement & Access Adviser (funded by the New Zealand Government)
  • Ms. Ruti Winterstein, Political & Press Adviser

The Quartet Representative also has a small team in London:

  • Mr. Nicolas Harrocks, Head of London Office and Senior Adviser (seconded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
  • Ms. Helen Pocock, Adviser (seconded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

The OQR’s donors are: the US State Department, the European Commission and the Norwegian Government.

If you would like to contact the OQR, click here