Anyone observing the evolution of Israeli-American relations cannot overlook the existence of certain red lines that define the essence of this partnership. Foremost among these is the unwavering American commitment to safeguarding Israel’s security and shielding it from any existential threats through comprehensive political, military, and economic support. Accepting these red lines as foundational to the strategic alliance between the two countries, it follows logically that one cannot object to the nature of these relations as long as they progress within the normal framework of bilateral ties. However, the situation takes a different turn when this relationship develops in ways that undermine Arab national security, particularly the Palestinian cause, which remains central to ensuring regional stability.
From this perspective, I must address the US role in the peace process, as the United States has long been an active partner, starting with the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty in March 1979, followed by its facilitation of the Oslo Accords in 1993, the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel in 1994, and the normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. Strikingly however, the US role has shifted from one of active engagement to a more passive stance, oscillating between serving as an observer, monitor, or advocate at times, and displaying outright bias toward Israel at others.
This has been evident in two key aspects: firstly, the failure to implement the two-state solution championed by the Democratic administration, and secondly, the inability to halt Israel’s war of extermination in the Gaza Strip, which began over a year ago and later expanded to Lebanon. The situation has sparked numerous questions, particularly as US military support for Israel has surged while diplomatic pressure on Israel has yielded no tangible results.
It is imperative at this juncture to move beyond the Biden administration concerning the Palestinian cause, shifting focus to the anticipated stance of the new Republican administration, set to assume office on January 20, 2025, following President Trump’s victory in the November 5 US presidential elections. This administration is poised to wield substantial power, as Republicans now control both chambers of Congress, affording the new president unprecedented authority compared to the previous administration. When considering President Trump’s expected policy on the Palestinian cause, it is clear that it will not begin from scratch, as the Trump administration has already taken a series of unprecedented steps in the history of US engagement with the issue, notably recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem, and acknowledging Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights—all of which present considerable hurdles to resolving the Palestinian conflict and the broader regional conflcit.
Trump went beyond these decisions. On January 28, 2020, he introduced the Deal of the Century, a proposal that can be described as meticulously crafted to eliminate any possibility of establishing a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. This deal guarantees Israel’s security and political demands in full, while denying Palestine its legitimate rights. Notably, the deal completely disregards the issues of Jerusalem and the refugees and grants Israel sovereignty over more than 30% of the Jordan Valley, in addition to territories housing Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This led the Arab League to convene an urgent meeting on February 1, 2020, where the deal was unanimously rejected.
Looking back at the four years President Trump spent in office, it is clear that it was a period marked by extreme negativity toward the Palestinian cause. Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope—albeit limited—that American policy toward the Palestinian cause might shift within the framework of what is termed “a general review of the previous administration.” In this context, I hope that the new administration will not revisit the Deal of the Century, which unfairly disregards the rights of the Palestinian people, and that it will instead develop a fresh vision aimed at ensuring security for both Israel and Palestine. If President Trump wishes to solidify his leadership and repay the Arab Americans who supported him and played a key role in his overwhelming victory, this would be a fitting direction to take.
If President Trump has promised to end the war in Gaza and Lebanon, I hope that this does not represent his ultimate goal, as Netanyahu has already indicated for some time that Israel is on the path to ending the conflict on both fronts. Should this occur, it cannot be considered a true accomplishment for the American president, as he has merely discussed ending the war without addressing the critical post-war conditions, particularly the future of the peace process. Furthermore, it is essential that Trump refrain from revisiting the issue of expanding Israel’s borders—an idea I would consider a grave misstep—and instead push Israel to fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
Despite the undeniable negative developments that have become our reality, the Arab position must now adopt what I refer to as an “Arab Deal of the Century”. This has become an absolute necessity to counter the American Deal of the Century that could potentially be revived by Trump. It should encompass a comprehensive vision for resolving the Palestinian cause, along with realistic and actionable executive mechanisms that could be proposed at both the regional and international levels, without waiting for the Gaza war to end or for President Trump to officially take office. It is time for us to move forward seriously on this path and assess its outcomes.
