Blair: Middle East peace process must move faster
Thursday, 08 May 2008 09:58
Tony Blair claims the Middle East peace process must move quicker
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Tony Blair has claimed that the Middle East peace process must move quicker if there is to be any chance of an agreement being reached by the end of this year.
Speaking to Sky News, the former prime minister claimed that Israel must do more in lifting restrictions, to allow Palestinians to improve their economy.
Mr Blair took on the role of Middle East envoy after stepping down as prime minister last year.
Since taking the role he has set out a number of proposals for Israel to help improve the situation for Palestinians, such as removing 12 checkpoints of which only one has currently been removed.
Mr Blair claims that more needs to be done and quickly.
"There are a whole set of proposals that we've put to the Israelis and actually the next few weeks will be critical on delivering those and yes, removing one is not enough," Mr Blair told Sky News.
"What is necessary is for Palestinians to be able to move relatively freely around their own territory. That is what they cannot do now."
Today marks the 60th anniversary of Israeli independence. Large crowds have gathered in Jerusalem as people celebrate the country's declaration as an independent state on May 14th 1948.
Celebrations began yesterday with the speaker of parliament, Dalia Itzik, telling a crowd: "The state of Israel is an unusual success story, a wonder by any historical standard.
"There are flaws and we still have things to do, but behind these flaws is a great country."