TONY BLAIR’S Middle East policy was in tatters last night after British targets were attacked in the Palestinian territories and London was accused of triggering one of the worst crises in the region for months.

In spite of years of intense diplomacy and tens of millions of pounds in aid to the Palestinians, Britain’s standing hit its lowest point since Mr Blair came to power nine years ago.

British Council offices in Gaza City and the West Bank town of Ramallah were set alight by angry mobs, while the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned all British citizens to leave the area.

“We advise against all travel to the Occupied Territories following serious threats against UK and US nationals,” said the FCO travel advice. It said that if British citizens chose to travel to the area “the British consulate-general in Jerusalem will only be able to offer limited consular assistance”.

The British pullout of three monitors from a jail in Jericho prompted Israeli forces to storm the prison and seize the men, angering Palestinians who felt that they had been betrayed by the British.

Last night Arab and Muslim leaders criticised Britain. Amr Moussa, the Arab League Secretary-General, accused Britain of co-ordinating the operation with Israeli forces.

The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the largest Muslim group, said that Britain and America bore “direct and serious responsibility for what happened in the prison and escalating what took place later”.

“In Palestinian eyes we can no longer be considered an honest broker,” said Alastair Crooke, a former British intelligence officer who helped to negotiate the deal. “The essence of the agreement was the protection of the Palestinians and the understanding that they would not end up in Israeli hands.”

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, defended the Government’s decision yesterday, saying that the safety of the British monitors had been jeopardised by the Palestinians over the past weeks and months.

“I must emphasise the Government’s condemnation of the appalling acts of violence,” he told the Commons. The anti-British violence is a huge setback to Britain’s position in the region and stands in contrast to the situation a year ago when the Prime Minister hosted a conference in London to rally international support for the Palestinians.

The event, which attracted leaders from across the world, drew promises of support for the Palestinian Authority and pledges of money and assistance to help to rebuild the Gaza Strip, which was evacuated by Israel in the summer.

Last year Britain spent £60 million in support of the Palestinian Authority and projects in the Palestinian territories. But there is little to show for the effort and Gaza remains isolated, poor and unstable.

“Tony Blair has had a history of promising the Earth and delivering zero to the Palestinians,” said Chris Doyle, the director of the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding.

Last night British officials said Britain was determined to resume its role in the region once the situation has calmed down. A Foreign Office spokesman said that diplomats would resume their work as soon as the situation allowed.

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