UNITED Nations Peace Envoy Tony Blair has come under fire for hosting a lavish birthday party for his wife while Israeli forces continue their offensive in Gaza.
At the time that Mr Blair was partying with 150 guests ceasefire agreements were stalling in Gaza and the death toll continuing to rise. Already more than 1000 Palestinians have died in the fighting, the majority of whom are civilians. Two Israeli civilians and more than 40 soldiers have also died as the embattled region burns.
A spokesman for Mr Blair said: “Tony has been in touch on the crisis and will return to the region this week.
"He cares passionately about what is happening and will do anything he can to help.”
For all his concerns, however, the former Prime Minister was snapped partying with celebs and politicians, including current Labour Leader Ed Milliband, while UN officials struggled to hammer out a solution to the conflict.
In a statement UN leaders called for a ceasefire to be held during the Islamic festival of Eid and condemned the loss of civilian life.
“The Security Council expresses grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives and casualties.
“The Security Council calls for full respect of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilian population, and reiterates the need to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and their protection.
“The Security Council expresses strong support for the call by international partners and the Secretary-General of the United Nations for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire, allowing for the delivery of urgently needed assistance, and they urged all parties to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond."
As a peace envoy Mr Blair is not required in Security Council meetings, however his absence from the region is likely to be seen by some observers as a sign that the UN is not taking the situation as seriously as many would like.
"Israel’s continuing bombardment of civilian homes in several areas of the Gaza Strip, as well as the shelling of a hospital, add to the list of possible war crimes that demand an urgent independent international investigation, said Amnesty International spokesman said last week.
In his role in the region Mr Blair would have seemed a likely candidate to take part in such an investigation.
Mr Blair's position as Peace Envoy has been a contentious issue since his appointment. Several observers in the region have expressed views that following his actions in Iraq he is the wrong person to promote stability on the region. This was further exasperated earlier this month after he called for more intervention in Syria, and for potential action against ISIS forces in Iraq.
For now, however, Mr Blair seems more interested in celebrating his wife's 60th birthday, which is actually in September, than fulfilling such an important role at this critical time.
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