Palestinians Dismiss Blair Visit as Publicity Stunt

[Tinoire]

Palestinians Dismiss Blair Visit as Publicity Stunt

By Inigo Gilmore in Jerusalem
(Filed: 23/12/2004)

For ordinary Palestinians Tony Blair's visit was generally seen as little more than a publicity stunt that had less to do with them than the British electorate.

Standing near Israel's concrete security barrier in Abu Dis near Jerusalem, Raed Masri, an engineer, watched as Palestinians scrambled to find a way around it to get to schools, hospitals and work.

"I wish Blair had spent just half an hour here to see how we have to jump like sheep, to see the humiliation we face every day," he said. "It's all just blah, blah, blah, it's all about him having his photo taken here. It does not mean anything to us."

Similar complaints were heard from Israeli peace activists who raised concerns that the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon's promises to withdraw Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip had thrown up a smokescreen in front of the "colonisation" of the West Bank, the other occupied territory, which has continued apace.

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