Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 09/2008

PolicyWatch #1307: Tony Blair Takes on West Bank Aid

James Lindsay

November 2007

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Abstract

Former British prime minister Tony Blair, now the Quartet's special Middle East envoy, has announced that he will soon determine the first set of projects meant to improve economic conditions in the West Bank, specifically mentioning projects around the town of Jericho. Although Blair will no doubt ignore calls from Hamas supporters to bolster their Gaza regime, it remains to be seen which projects in the West Bank he believes are worthy of funding. Regardless of what he decides, there are a few considerations he should take into account in trying to ensure West Bank stability at a time when new peace initiatives are unfolding.