The Times revealed that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been working for months on a post-war plan for Gaza—one he discussed at the White House with former U.S. envoy to the Middle East Jared Kushner and President Donald Trump.
According to journalist David Charter, Blair advised Trump on a so-called “comprehensive plan” for Gaza’s future, following the American president’s call to transform the besieged enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
A “Tourist Gaza” Vision
The report noted that Blair, alongside Kushner—Trump’s son-in-law and former peace broker—had been preparing reconstruction proposals to remake Gaza into a modern commercial hub and tourist destination. These plans reportedly formed a key part of their discussions with Trump on the enclave’s future.
The White House meeting took place as Britain prepared to follow France in recognising a Palestinian state at the United Nations next month—provided that Israel meets certain conditions, including a ceasefire. That recognition, however, seems unlikely after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a fresh military offensive aimed at “cleansing” Gaza City of Hamas.
A White House official told the Times that “all aspects” of the Gaza crisis were on the table in the Blair-Kushner meeting, including the hostage situation and humanitarian aid. The meeting came just as the UN officially declared famine in Gaza last week.
Blair’s Longstanding Ties to the Region
At 72, Blair remains deeply involved in Middle Eastern affairs. From 2007 to 2015 he served as the Quartet’s special envoy to the region, forging lasting political ties. According to Axios, Blair had also met Trump at the White House last month—the same day Netanyahu visited—handing the U.S. president a letter of nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Tony Blair Institute later issued a statement clarifying that it was in contact with “various groups and organisations” proposing post-war plans for Gaza, but stressed that it had never endorsed or developed any initiative involving the transfer of Gaza’s population.
“Since its establishment, the Institute has worked to build a better Gaza for its people,” the statement said. “Tony Blair has been engaged in this since leaving office. It has never been about displacing Gaza’s population.”
In an interview with Politico last October, Blair argued that Gaza should not be ruled by either Hamas or Israel. Instead, he suggested that a “third party” should govern the territory as part of a wider peace deal. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has insisted on installing a civil authority in Gaza—while excluding both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
Trump’s “Day After” Rhetoric
In February, Trump floated the idea of U.S. control over Gaza, including the creation of a luxury resort on its Mediterranean coast. The proposal drew sharp criticism, especially for implying the evacuation of Palestinians from their homeland.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed in a Fox News interview that plans for a “day after” meeting on Gaza were underway. He described it as a “comprehensive plan” that would show the humanitarian intentions of Trump’s approach and predicted the war could end by year’s end.
Trump himself told reporters last Monday that a “decisive end” to the conflict could come within two to three weeks. But the very next day, he stepped back, admitting: “There is nothing decisive. It’s been going on for a long time. We hope things resolve very quickly with regard to Gaza.”
Witkoff added on Tuesday: “We believe we will settle this one way or another, certainly before the end of the year.” When asked about Blair’s involvement, a White House spokesperson replied: “President Trump has been clear about wanting to end the war and bring peace and prosperity to the region. The White House has no further details to share about the meeting at this time.”
Analysis: A Familiar Colonial Script
While dressed up as “humanitarian” and “prosperity” projects, these visions echo an old colonial script: turning the ruins of Gaza into a showcase of Western investment while ignoring the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
The rhetoric of a “Riviera Gaza” cannot erase the reality of mass displacement, famine, and continued occupation. Just as past colonial powers sought to redesign the region to serve their interests, the Blair-Kushner plan appears less about Gaza’s liberation and more about shaping its future under external control.
