Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 11, 2009 Cheshvan 24, 5770 | | Israel Time: 10:41 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books

(Uriel Sinai / Getty)
Share |
Last update - 15:23 10/11/2009
Blair: Abbas leaving office due to frustration over stalled peace
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel news, Mahmoud Abbas 

The United Nations envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, said Tuesday that he believed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision not to seek re-election was a reflection of deep frustration regarding the slow pace of peace negotiations.

Speaking to Army Radio while on a visit to Jerusalem, Blair called Abbas a man of peace, and said he worried the decision would harm any chance of toppling Hamas' power in the Gaza Strip.

"People are impatient to get into the negotiation regarding the Palestinian and Israeli states," Blair told Army Radio.
Advertisement

This frustration, Blair said, could be responsible for Abbas's resignation, yet he firmly believes that "Abbas wanted peace and to negotiate peace" and added that he was "still hopeful, but then again I always am."

Blair said he believes Israel and Abbas need each other in order to weaken Hamas' power in Gaza.

When asked what his thoughts were regarding the settlements, Blair said that he would rather not talk directly about the issue as there is not yet a signed agreement on that matter.

Still, he expressed hope that such an agreement would soon be signed and added that "the key thing is that they don't breach an agreement once it's made."

Blair stressed the fact that he is not in the region to talk about the diplomatic issues, but rather to "create for the Palestinians freedom of movement and better their living conditions."

When asked whether he is not discouraged by the ongoing conflict in the region, Blair said that he believes "it's so important that people reach peace, and it's worth fighting for."


Related articles:
  • Palestinian calls Blair 'terrorist' during visit to Hebron mosque
  • Blair: Peace within reach if Israel compromises
  • Blair: Hamas should be part of peace process
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    On Arafat's deathbed
    Arafat's wife read him the Koran and urged him to defeat then-PM Ariel Sharon.
    No Arabs need apply
    Study shows that Arabs, Ethiopians, and Haredis can't find work - even with a degree.
      1.   Tony, what again is your job.....???? 10:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 10/11/09
      2.   Tony go home 12:12  |  ptr 10/11/09
      3.   Tony, Israel favors Hamas 12:52  |  Shadi 10/11/09
      4.   #1 It`s not what you appear to think it is, Dino 12:55  |  Johnboy 10/11/09
      5.   "back to the future?" 13:13  |  a wandering Jew 10/11/09
      6.   abbas never had a chance 13:36  |  rm 10/11/09
      7.   Threat to security 13:36  |  Stephen Connor 10/11/09
      8.   # 4 Johnboy, fair enough, but do you really think it will help... 14:13  |  Swiss (Dino) 10/11/09
      9.   The real reasons Abbas is leaving 14:53  |  Peter Williams 10/11/09
      10.   Tony Blair 16:47  |  Col [Res] Cohen 10/11/09
      11.   #10 Col(Res) Cohen Enlighten us Colonel. 18:05  |  Lou Medel 10/11/09
      12.   #9 You are Spot-on Correct 21:19  |  Alan-NYC 10/11/09
      13.   "weaken Hamas` power in Gaza." 09:04  |  Zev 11/11/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    10:12 Washington disappointed: Netanyahu didn't present concrete steps
    06:51 U.S. accuses Iran of arms shipments to Hezbollah
    04:38 Israeli Americans blast 'unjust' U.S. health care reform bill
    04:10 Comment / Obama's good intentions lead nowhere
    08:35 MI figures out what went wrong in Lavon affair - 55 years later
    08:38 Finance Min.: Arabs, Haredim to blame for their poor economic state
    09:20 Man who made billions off Madoff scheme wills fortune to charity
    22:27 TV ROUND-UP: PM: Obama meet helps Israel security; Emanuel to GA: Path to peace not just Israel's
    08:10 Response / On 'exorcising' Israel bashers from the Jewish mainstream
    09:07 Emanuel tells GA: Only dialogue can bring peace
    06:43 Peres to Assad: Engage Israel in immediate, direct peace talks
    04:32 Israeli film director: Countrymen's hits abroad are 'mediocre or worse'
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved