An identity crisis for Blair: Former PM describes Jerusalem as ‘home’
By Simon Walters
Tony Blair has always tried to present himself as a visionary leader when he talks about his twin passions: politics and religion.
But judging from his entry in the VIP visitors’ guest book at the British Embassy in Washington during a recent trip to the US, his role as a Middle East peace envoy may have led to a mid-life identity crisis.
His signature is there but where guests are invited to state their ‘home’ Mr Blair wrote ‘Jerusalem’.
The former Primer Minister does not own anything that could be described as a home in the Middle East.
He is said to spend an average of one week a month at the American Colony hotel in Jerusalem, despite local officials insisting that his visits are less frequent.
Indeed, The Mail on Sunday can disclose that he faces growing criticism from senior figures at the United Nations for not spending enough time on his role as head of the Quartet, the foursome of the US, Russia, the EU and the UN tasked with building peace in the Middle East.
They say they are unhappy about the time Mr Blair devotes to the lucrative international lecture circuit and to lobbying to become the first permanent president of the EU.