Exclusive: Blair asked PA to remove 'Palestine' from textbooks, former UK envoy says

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was recently tasked by Donald Trump's Board of Peace to request the Palestinian Authority (PA) to replace any references to the word “Palestine” in school curricula with the term “Samaria,” according to a former British diplomat. The revelation came from Jeremy Greenstock, who served as Britain’s United Nations ambassador from 1998 to 2003. In an interview with the David Hearst Podcast, Greenstock disclosed that Blair sought to apply pressure on the PA, suggesting that if the authority wished to be regarded as capable of negotiating an agreement with Israel to conclude the ongoing conflict in Gaza, it must remove the word “Palestine” from its educational materials. Greenstock stated that the request was relayed through a ministerial-level source and that he understood the directive was part of an effort to align the PA with the expectations of the Board of Peace. However, the demand was reportedly rejected by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who refused to comply with the suggestion. According to Greenstock, Abbas expressed firm opposition to the idea, emphasizing that the PA would not erase historical or national identity terms from its curriculum. Greenstock further noted that Blair, in his current role overseeing the postwar management of Gaza for the Board of Peace, is encountering challenges. He described Blair’s situation as one of difficulty, citing concerns over his credibility given his past actions related to the Iraq War and his stance on Palestinian issues. Greenstock suggested that Blair’s involvement might undermine efforts due to perceptions of bias, particularly considering his historical positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Blair’s Institute for Global Change (TBI) has denied any knowledge of the alleged request, stating that the former leader did not make such a proposal. Despite this, reports indicate that Blair recently traveled to Israel with Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and high representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov. During these visits, the trio engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been critical of the proposed roadmap for Gaza. They also met with a Palestinian technocratic group intended to take charge of Gaza, along with members of Hamas. In the same interview, Greenstock defended Blair’s role during the Iraq War, crediting him with influencing then-U.S. President George W. Bush to pursue a UN mandate prior to military action. However, he was more critical of Blair’s current involvement with the Board of Peace, describing it as an “abstract and arbitrary committee.” Greenstock argued that the structure lacks the strength necessary to handle the complex decisions required regarding the future of the Palestinian territories. He emphasized that the Board of Peace, established by Trump following the October 2023 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, has yet to achieve tangible outcomes. While Hamas and other Palestinian factions agreed to a disarming plan, Israel has not withdrawn from Gaza as stipulated, leaving the situation unresolved. The Board of Peace was meant to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, but its effectiveness remains questionable. As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of Blair’s alleged request, should it be verified, raise broader questions about the influence of external actors in shaping the narratives and policies of the region. The potential impact on education, identity, and political legitimacy underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by all parties involved.