A British peer, Lord Michael Levy, recently expressed his doubts about achieving peace with Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel. Levy, who served as Tony Blair’s Middle East advisor and envoy, described the region as being in a “potential blow-up situation” in an interview with the Independent. He emphasized that there could be hope for a peaceful resolution if Netanyahu retired from politics.
Levy’s personal connection to the conflict became evident when his cousin, Emily, was captured by Hamas fighters and held captive in Gaza. He stressed the importance of Palestinians recognizing the need for coexistence with Israel and called for an end to violence within the Palestinian community.
Having been involved in brokering talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders during his time as Blair’s envoy, Levy continues to advocate for peace and humanitarian relief in Gaza. He has been vocal about Labour’s stance on Israel’s security while condemning actions that undermine peace and international law.
As the anniversary of the 7 October attack approached, Lord Levy’s comments coincided with Prime Minister Starmer’s acknowledgment of the tragic events. Both leaders emphasized the need for solidarity with the Jewish community and called for efforts to end conflicts in the Middle East.