Gaza's Reconstruction: A New Vision for the "Riviera of the Middle East"

Strategic Insights -

Sir Tony Blair, a former UK prime minister, is leading a push to transform Gaza into a thriving economy, incorporating glistening towers, parks, ports, business zones, and an international airport. A $53bn plan, approved by the Arab League in Cairo in March, aims to rebuild Gaza in just five years. According to a high-quality face-to-face poll conducted between April and May, 27% of Gazans preferred to become like the United Arab Emirates, while 15% opted for Turkey, 14% for Singapore, and 12% for Saudi Arabia. The poll also found that support for Hamas was less than 4% and falling.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed Egypt plan for Gaza's reconstruction involves a $53bn investment, spanning five years, and incorporates a vision for a thriving economy with glistening towers, parks, ports, business zones, and an international airport.
  • The plan aims to overcome previous concerns about removing the Gazan population, and instead, incorporates a process for producing a sustainable peace in the region.
  • Hamas would play no direct role in Gaza's governance or security under the plan, subject to a wider peace and plan for Palestinian statehood being agreed by Israel.
  • Sir Tony Blair's Institute has worked in the region since 2007, with a turnover of $145m and offices in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Washington DC.
  • The Blair Institute has stated that it has no truck with Israeli or US calls to relocate Gazans, and that its work in the region is dedicated to building a better Gaza for Gazans.
  • A face-to-face poll conducted between April and May found that 27% of Gazans preferred to become like the United Arab Emirates, while 15% opted for Turkey, 14% for Singapore, and 12% for Saudi Arabia. Support for Hamas was less than 4% and falling.

Statistics:

  • $53bn: The proposed investment for Gaza's reconstruction
  • 5 years: The timeframe for the reconstruction plan
  • 27%: The percentage of Gazans who prefer to become like the United Arab Emirates
  • 15%: The percentage of Gazans who prefer Turkey
  • 14%: The percentage of Gazans who prefer Singapore
  • 12%: The percentage of Gazans who prefer Saudi Arabia
  • 4%: The level of support for Hamas in the face-to-face poll
  • $145m: The turnover of the Blair Institute
  • $2tn: The amount of inward investment reportedly secured for the US during Mr. Trump's May 2020 tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE

Sources:

  • The Telegraph
  • Tony Blair Institute (TBI)
  • Arab League
  • The Good Friday Agreement (1998)
  • The Abraham Accords (2020)