Many bold and frequently divisive policies intended to alter the Middle East‘s dynamics have defined Donald Trump’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. His ideas for a Jewish state, as expressed in some initiatives and programs, represent a shift away from conventional US diplomatic tactics.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister and alleged war criminal, is the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump, the newly elected US president. In addition to the devastating results of the war against Hamas and the widening gap between secular and ultra-religious Israelis, Netanyahu’s visit follows a crushing defeat in the Gaza Strip. A deeply divided Israeli society, largely as a result of Netanyahu’s deceit and shifting the blame for his failures onto others, including Israel’s holy institution, the Israeli army.
Why was Jerusalem made the capital of Israel?
Trump announced Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017. This maintains the city’s status from decades of US neutrality. This decision was highly condemned on an international level, and it was thought that it was concerned with inflaming tensions in the region. The December 2017 orders of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital were one of the most important steps in Trump’s agenda. Decades of American foreign policy that had upheld neutrality regarding Jerusalem’s status while awaiting concluding talks between Israelis and Palestinians were overthrown by this decision. This acknowledgement was strengthened, and Israel’s claim to the city was further validated in May 2018 when the US Embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The UN General Assembly denounced it, and it heightened tensions with the Palestinians.
Trump presented the action as keeping a long-standing campaign pledge and as being in line with the wishes of his fundamentalist Christian supporters, who saw biblical significance in Israel’s rule of Jerusalem. However, the pro-Israel lobby as a whole and pro-Israel billionaires like Miriam Adelson have a significant impact on Trump’s regional choices. Therefore, Trump wants to demonstrate to his pro-Israel lobby and Israelis in general that he puts their interests ahead of his troubled prime minister, even if the meeting becomes heated.
Trump’s shadow over the Middle East
The Arab situation is in a terrible state. When it comes to the Palestinian question, some of the most powerful Arab nations, like Egypt and Jordan, rely on American financial aid. In contrast, others, like the Gulf nations, rely on American military assistance. Instead of stopping the illegal Jewish settler attacks, the mentally beaten Palestinian official leadership is working with the Israeli occupation to battle their countrymen in Jenin and other West Bank cities. President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, was appealing to other countries in the UN to defend the Palestinians under his control while discussing the implementation of law and order in the West Bank.
Trump may readily sacrifice the Palestinian people on the altar of his ego and interests. Trump’s actions are motivated by a bully mindset, which causes him to show off his strength before the weak, and then back down when the cost is high. In addition to threatening to grab the territory of allies like Canada and European countries, he attempted to demand $500 billion from Saudi Arabia, which is an extraordinary request in international diplomacy. Its result in his return for his first foreign tour is symbolic of a pitiful, gang-like government. His ruthless intimidation and careless policies affect everyone.
What do Netanyahu and his supporters anticipate from Trump?
Netanyahu and his supporters probably have three main demands, all of which are focused on establishing their position as the self-declared leaders of the area. Before reaching their ultimate diplomatic objective, which is to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. First, they asked for his assistance in normalizing ties with important Muslim nations like Indonesia and Pakistan. Second, by ethnically removing Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They hope to punish the Houthis, isolate Iran through a campaign of maximal pressure, and ultimately realize their long-held goal of turning Palestine into a Jewish state.
Achieving these goals quickly is difficult due to the complexity of regional dynamics and the constantly changing nature of international alliances. However, Netanyahu would find it highly beneficial to secure a firm commitment from Trump, even if it’s not a fully detailed plan. Simply obtaining a verbal pledge would give Netanyahu significant political power at home, allowing him to shift attention away from his weaknesses and create an impression of progress for his supporters.
After all, those who depend on others to do their dirty work frequently end up like this. It’s risky to rely on outside forces, particularly ones as unstable as Trump’s.
