The Blair Institute for Global Change, a policy research centre founded by former UK prime minister Tony Blair, has issued a statement rejecting allegations published by Middle East Eye. The outlet reported that a US‑based organization, identified as the Trump Board of Peace, had dispatched Blair to request that the Palestinian Authority (PA) remove the term “Palestine” from its school textbooks.
In its response, the institute said no such request had been made by any of its representatives and that the claim was unfounded. It emphasized that the organisation’s activities focus on promoting dialogue and development, and that it does not intervene in the internal educational policies of the PA.
Middle East Eye’s article linked the alleged request to a broader pattern of external influence on Palestinian educational content, but provided no direct evidence or quotations from the institute. The report suggested that the request, if true, would have been part of a diplomatic effort coordinated by the Trump Board of Peace, a group associated with former US president Donald Trump.
The Blair Institute did not comment on the origins of the story beyond its denial, and it did not disclose any correspondence with the PA or the US group. No official response from the Palestinian Authority or the Trump Board of Peace was available at the time of publication.
The episode highlights ongoing sensitivities surrounding external actors’ involvement in the Palestinian education system, an area that has attracted scrutiny from various international stakeholders. Observers note that claims of interference often generate diplomatic friction, underscoring the need for clear verification before such allegations are circulated.
The denial by the Blair Institute adds to a series of recent disputes over alleged foreign influence in the region’s educational and political spheres, though no further developments have been reported.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/blair-institute-denies-ex-uk-prime-minister-asked-pa-remove-palestine-school-textbooks.