President Donald Trump backing for Israel’s disastrous war in Gaza has been the subject of international attention for months. His administration allowed the fight to continue for more than a year by providing political backing, diplomatic cover, and munitions.
Biden’s efforts, however, did more than keep the war going; they set the stage for something much worse. Donald Trump, his successor, has now stated that he plans to go even farther. Many of his supporters believed that Trump would work to stop the conflict, even if it was simply for personal gain, especially in crucial swing states. However, the truth has turned out to be rather different.
A New Phase of War
Trump’s management of Gaza has been characterized by his real estate-style hyperbole and unpredictable decision-making. Many of thought Obama would approach the crisis more pragmatically after his administration first pushed Israel to accept a ceasefire agreement that allowed for hostage exchanges. But Trump changed his mind after just one meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating a sharp escalation. The former real estate tycoon jokingly proposed that the United States should annex Gaza and turn it into an opulent vacation spot, echoing remarks made by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on Gaza’s “valuable waterfront property.” His remarks implied a clear endorsement of permanently changing the demographics of the region, going well beyond merely endorsing Israel’s military campaign.
Green Light for Ethnic Cleansing
The more radical parts of Israel’s leadership have gained confidence from Trump’s comments. Prominent members of the far-right religious Zionist movement, such as Itamar Ben Gvir, have publicly praised Trump’s strategy and promised to rejoin Netanyahu’s coalition if he proceeds with his intentions to seize Gaza. The goal of eliminating Gaza as a Palestinian state and growing Israeli settlements is no longer just a pipe dream for Israel’s ultranationalists; it is now a reality. Netanyahu’s long-standing territorial aspirations and Trump’s public remarks have increased the possibility of a mass forced relocation of Palestinians, which would be unheard of since 1948.After 15 months of arduous negotiations, the so-called ceasefire agreement is now in doubt. Its last phases, which were intended to guarantee the release of hostages and the evacuation of Israeli forces, have been essentially abandoned by Trump. His sudden change has removed any motivation for Hamas to keep freeing prisoners, raising the possibility of more bloodshed.
Regional and Global Consequences
Trump’s proposal for Gaza has consequences that go well beyond Palestine. Important U.S. friends in the Middle East have immediately reacted negatively to his remarks. In one of its most forceful responses yet, Saudi Arabia—which Trump said supported his vision—rejected any effort to evict Palestinians or annex their territory. Any attempt to drive Palestinians into Jordan, which is already housing millions of refugees, might be viewed as a direct act of war, the country has warned. These cautions are more than just threats. The likelihood of a more extensive regional confrontation is increasing as Israel’s neighbors demonstrate their unwillingness to acquiesce in its expansionist plans. Egypt has also reaffirmed its stance that it will not permit the forcible expulsion of any Palestinian from its land. European nations that once firmly backed Israel’s military actions are now beginning to recognize how dangerous their stance was. A new refugee crisis that would disrupt Europe in a way akin to the Syrian war might result from the forced displacement of millions of Palestinians.
The Palestinian Response
Trump’s proposal poses an existential threat to Palestinians, not merely a change in policy. However, history demonstrates that efforts to drive them off their land have consistently failed. Zionist militias tried to expel Palestinians from Gaza during the Nakba in 1948, but they encountered strong opposition. Both after the 1967 war and during the Suez Crisis, Israel made another attempt, but Palestinians persisted. Now that mass expulsion is once again a possibility, Gazans are stating unequivocally that they will not leave. Just like they have defied all the attempts to eradicate them in the past, they will resist now.
A Dangerous Path Forward
The goals of Trump and Netanyahu are putting Israel in danger. They are inviting a historic response by publicly supporting policies that amount to racial cleansing. The Middle East is at a turning moment, and if Trump keeps going in this direction, the repercussions could be disastrous for everyone in the region, not just Palestinians. Trump’s backing gave Netanyahu the confidence to declare recently that “the Bible says that the people of Israel shall rise like lions.” And we got up, boy. However, his conceit has made him oblivious to reality. If he is not stopped, the region will become more enraged with Israel than it has ever been.
There is no doubt that the Palestinians will not be forced from their land if the conflict in Gaza recurs. No matter the cost, they will not back down.
