Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair categorically denied on Thursday allegations that he pressured the Palestinian Authority (PA) to remove the word “Palestine” from school textbooks on behalf of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
The denial comes in response to a report by Middle East Eye (MEE), which claimed Blair was recently sent by the Board of Peace to ask the PA to replace any mention of the word “Palestine” in schoolbooks with the Jewish designation of “Samaria”.
Jeremy Greenstock, who served as Britain’s ambassador to the UN between 1998 and 2003, told MEE that Blair attempted to exert pressure on the PA. Greenstock said Blair communicated that if the PA was serious about being seen by the Board of Peace as capable of reaching an agreement with Israel to end the war on Gaza, then the word “Palestine” should be erased from textbooks.
Blair rejected the allegations entirely.
“This story is a complete fabrication. We categorically deny the claims made in a recent media report, attributed to a former British diplomat, alleging that I asked the Palestinian Authority to remove the name ‘Palestine’ from Palestinian school curricula or replace it with another term,” Blair said in a statement.
“This claim is entirely false and without foundation. I have made no such request, nor have I conveyed or endorsed any proposal to this effect,” he added.
Addressing his ongoing role in the Middle East, Blair stated: “I continue, in cooperation with members of the Board of Peace and relevant parties, to focus our efforts on supporting the peace process, contributing to the implementation of the peace plan, supporting the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, and working towards a more secure, stable and prosperous future for all the peoples of the region.”
He also issued a warning regarding media reporting on geopolitical negotiations.
“Given the sensitivity of the current moment and the issues surrounding ongoing peace efforts, it is important to adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and professionalism, and of verifying information before publishing claims that could mislead the public or undermine efforts to achieve peace,” Blair said.
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