If a week is a long time in politics, 22 years must seem like infinitude. Yet if there is anywhere where few forget it is surely the Middle East. It is hard to imagine many places where former prime minister Sir Tony Blair is less popular than Britain, but the Arab world is certainly a contender. In fact his reputation precedes him so much that even what is left of Hamas is repulsed at the idea of him pulling the strings in post-war Palestine. The shadow of Iraq and Afghanistan has been impossible to shake off.

Sir Tony’s modestly titled Institute for Global Change exists to make globalisation work “for the many, not the few” by offering strategy, policy, and delivery advice on economic development, countering extremism and promoting coexistence. And with 92% of Gaza reduced to rubble and ruins many considered him a shoo-in for the job of overseeing its transition from smouldering wreck into a booming protectorate ripe for development and public-private enterprise.

Sir Tony left Downing Street in 2007 – the year that Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip (Image: Getty)

Meddling Sir Tony saw himself as Chairman of the Board (of Peace) – a director of football-type role upstairs while Palestinian technocrats ran day-to-day affairs under him.

But his dogmatic belief in intercession continues to make him a controversial figure – not least in the Middle East.

This long-coveted role was mooted some time ago and given fresh impetus after Donald Trump’s success in bringing Hamas and Israel to the table in search of peace. Now it appears to have hit the skids after disgust from all sides.

After a decade as prime minister Sir Tony found himself handsomely paid as a consultant (for banking behemoth JP Morgan among others) and Middle East envoy for the Quartet of the UN, European Union, United States and Russia.

In Palestine he pushed the idea of free enterprise on his assumption that wealth was the precursor to lasting peace and stability.

Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip from its rival faction Fata in a series of violent clashes in 2007, the very same year Sir Tony left Downing Street.

It has indicated it would be willing to allow a Palestinian body to govern post-war Gaza, but failed to commit to full disarmament.

Hamas still controls the strip but, put bluntly, even it is appalled at the prospect of Sir Tony being parachuted in as de facto chief of the razed territory.

Senior official Dr Basem Naim has publicly welcomed Trump’s efforts in brokering a fragile pact but was unequivocal in his dismissal of the former PM being anywhere near the enclave.

In a stinging rebuke that speaks volumes of his interventionist reputation Dr Naim said: “When it comes to Tony Blair, unfortunately, we Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims, and maybe others around the world have bad memories of him.

“We can still remember his role in killing, causing thousands or millions of deaths to innocent civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“We can still remember him very well after destroying Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Even Trump, who was greeted as a deity during his fleeting visit to the Middle East, appears to be having second thoughts, saying: “I’ve always liked Tony, but I want to find out (if he) would be popular with all, because I just don’t know that. I like Tony, I have always liked Tony. But I want to find out that he is an acceptable choice to everybody.”

I think we all know the answer to that.