Fri Sep 20 13:42:33 UTC 2024: ## Former UK PM Blair Sees Hope for Gaza Ceasefire, Warns of Escalation Risks
**SINGAPORE** – Despite the recent deadly blasts in Lebanon and the ongoing war in Gaza, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair believes a ceasefire in Gaza is still achievable.
“It’s extremely difficult, and there are real risks of escalation. However, I think that it is still possible… to bring to an end to the war in Gaza to set a path forward for the future,” Blair told CNA on Friday.
Blair, who served as the Middle East envoy for eight years, acknowledged the complexities of the conflict, noting that both Israel’s security needs and Palestinian self-determination must be addressed.
Drawing parallels to the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, Blair emphasized that peace requires satisfying the fundamental needs of both sides, even if the issues are complicated.
However, he warned that achieving peace requires a shift in the political landscape on both sides. “You’re never going to get peace unless the politics of both sides change,” he said.
Blair also discussed the importance of Western engagement with China, arguing against isolationist policies. “I don’t believe in trying to isolate China,” he said. “There are many global questions, not least climate change and global health, in which we need China.”
He highlighted the crucial nature of the US-China relationship, stating that it will be a defining factor in global peace and stability for the 21st century.
Blair stressed the need for the US to maintain its alliances and engage with its partners to effectively address the challenges posed by a growing divide between China and the West.
First Piper 