Tony Blair blamed the crisis in Gaza on "extremism" and "corruption" in his speech on Thursday at the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" in Washington DC.
"For decades," the former British prime minister claimed, "Gaza's governance has been characterised by extremism, corruption, ineffective institutions and the complete absence of a route to prosperity for the Gazan people."
The Palestinian enclave has been under Israeli occupation for decades.
Blair said Gaza has "vast potential" due to its "25 miles of Mediterranean coastline, proximity to great regional and global markets, and a young, dynamic population with a median age of 19".
He hailed the Board of Peace and said it would "rebuild Gaza for Gazans".
"Whether you're a Muslim, Jew, Christian, of any faith or none, you can rise by your own efforts and feel your government by your side, not on your back," Blair said.
"That is the vision behind President Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, and it remains the best, indeed the only hope for Gaza, the region and the wider world."
Despite Blair's presence, Britain has not joined Trump's board, which has been boycotted by several European countries for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to join it.
Significantly, Keir Starmer's Labour government has distanced itself from the former prime minister.
In November, when it was rumoured that Blair would be on the board, Jonathan Powell, Starmer's national security advisor and Blair's former chief of staff in Downing Street, said privately that Blair did not represent the British state.
Powell lobbied actively against Blair's nomination, according to two separate informed sources who spoke to Middle East Eye on condition of anonymity.
'A colonial mindset'
Blair's comments at the meeting have drawn criticism, since he did not refer to Israel's role in his account of the situation in Gaza.
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