Ten European foreign ministers signed an open letter to Tony Blair published Monday, telling him to pressure Israel to make more “concessions for peace” in his new role as Middle East envoy. Blair stepped out of his role as British prime minister in late June and immediately into an envoy post representing the “Quartet”—the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia.

In the letter, published in the French daily Le Monde, the foreign ministers of the EU’s Mediterranean states—France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Romania, Cyprus, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Malta—told Blair, “The Road Map has failed,” referring to the Quartet-backed peace plan released in 2003. The letter also welcomed the efforts of Arab nations to establish peace plans after the “Road Map” foundered.

The foreign ministers called for new objectives in the Middle East, demanding a list of concessions from Israel through Blair, including “concrete and immediate measures in favor of Mahmoud Abbas. Among these, the transfer of all taxes due, the release of the thousands of prisoners who do not have blood on their hands, the release as well of the main Palestinian leaders to ensure succession within Fatah, a freeze in new settlements and the evacuation of unauthorized settlements.”

The ministers also advocated a “robust international force” to enforce a cease-fire among Palestinians, which Abbas has requested.

Some sources suggest Blair will not attempt to salvage the “Road Map,” as many expect, but will fast-track the establishment of a Palestinian state. According to a Quartet statement, Blair will focus largely on strengthening Palestinian institutions in preparation for such a state. “The urgency of recent events,” the statement said, “has reinforced the need for the international community … to help Palestinians as they build the institutions and economy of a viable state in Gaza and the West Bank, able to take its place as a peaceful and prosperous partner to Israel and its other neighbors.”

Blair’s mandate from the Quartet and pressure from the EU foreign ministers clearly reflect a one-sided approach that could leave Israel wounded by rather than helped by the so-called peace process. The European Union certainly has a history of being biased against Israel.

Expect Blair’s colossal goals of facilitating a viable state, ensuring a prosperous economy and transforming Palestinians into a peaceful partner for Israel to find as much success as those of previous envoy James Wolfensohn, President Bush, former President Carter, Representative Nancy Pelosi and a string of diplomats who have all failed to bring peace.

For an accurate forecast of what will happen because of and in spite of Blair’s efforts, read Jerusalem in Prophecy.