By Stan Goodenough
Jul 19, 2007
He was only set to start Thursday as the "Quartet's" special envoy to the Middle East, but before he stepped up to the plate Arab spokesman and leaders were already working to ensure that Tony Blair either takes their side in the conflict with Israel, or faces being discredited in his new role.
Arab have publicly disparaged Blair, mainly because he was so tight with the United States in the wars against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, and also because he refused to condemn the Israeli response to the Lebanese Hizb'allah's kidnapping of two IDF soldiers last sumer.
This must mean he is anti-Arab and pro-Israel, they hold.
The former British prime minister can, however, prove himself a worthy envoy if he hardens his attitude towards Israel.
"A lot of [Arabs] say he is not the right man for the job, and that he had better prove that he is, said a Sky News commentator on Thursday afternoon.