On January 26, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he is pressuring Jordan, Egypt, and other Arab countries to accept more Palestinian refugees from Gaza. This comes in the wake of the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip, which has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. When asked whether this measure was temporary or permanent, Trump ambiguously responded, “It could be this or that.”
Unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, Trump openly states his goals without pretense. Biden, for instance, spoke of supporting a two-state solution, but his administration took no substantive steps to implement it. Al Jazeera reported on January 4, 2024: “U.S. President Joe Biden said that there are a number of models for the two-state solution, indicating that several countries in the United Nations do not have their own armed forces.” This suggests that Biden envisioned a demilitarized Palestinian state, a stark contrast to Trump’s more overt backing of Israeli expansion.
During his election campaign, Trump made his intentions clear. As reported by Sky News on August 19, 2024, he stated: “When you look at the map of the Middle East, ‘Israel’ is a tiny little spot compared to these giant land masses. I actually said: ‘Is there any way of getting more?’” This underscores his support for expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank, legitimizing land seizures, and establishing new settlements.
Trump’s selection of Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel further reflects this stance. On November 13, 2024, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “He loves ‘Israel’ and the people of ‘Israel’, and likewise, the people of ‘Israel’ love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring peace to the Middle East.” Huckabee’s history of support for Israel is well-documented. The BBC quoted him on November 13, 2024, stating: “Israel’s historical connection to the region, spanning thousands of years, is even stronger than America’s 400-year connection to Manhattan.” He has also repeatedly dismissed the concept of the West Bank, referring to it as “Judea and Samaria” and denying the existence of an occupation.
In an interview with Jewish Channel 7 on November 15, 2024, Huckabee reaffirmed his stance: “I was never willing to use the term ‘West Bank.’ There is no such thing. I tell people there is no occupation.” He also praised Trump’s previous term, emphasizing the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the relocation of the U.S. embassy, and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Huckabee further dismissed the viability of a two-state solution, stating: “It is impractical and unimplementable. This is a position that Trump agrees with, and I expect it to continue.”
Trump’s policies indicate that his administration does not intend to establish a Palestinian state in any form. Instead, he is advancing official American recognition of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a position reinforced by his ambassador’s statements. Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Jewish settlers accused of illegal activities during Biden’s administration further illustrates this commitment.
Trump claims to be a dealmaker who can achieve peace in the Middle East. Al Jazeera reported on January 23, 2025, that Trump boasted: “My administration accomplished more in four days than Biden’s did in four years. If not for us, the Gaza ceasefire would not have been concluded this week.” He also revealed that Saudi Arabia pledged to invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy, adding, “I will ask them to increase it to a trillion dollars.”
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Yedioth Ahronoth reported on January 14, 2025, that Israel secured the right to unilaterally end the ceasefire if deemed necessary. Additionally, the Biden-era sanctions on certain settlers were lifted, and the U.S. pledged to oppose international legal action against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.
Throughout both his terms, Trump has unequivocally aligned U.S. policy with Israeli interests. His administration has disregarded international resolutions that recognize the West Bank as occupied territory and call for Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 borders. Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Golan Heights suggests that he will similarly legitimize Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Trump’s broader strategy appears to be the normalization of Israel’s presence in the region. Saudi Arabia is a prime candidate for this, given Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s close ties with Trump. On January 23, 2025, Al-Hurra America reported that Trump stated: “Saudi Arabia will invest $600 billion in the American economy, and I will ask to raise it to a trillion dollars.” This came after a phone call between Trump and Bin Salman on January 22, 2025, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s readiness to comply with American requests. It suggests that with another phone call, Saudi Arabia could announce its willingness to normalize ties with Israel.
Trump’s recent statements hint at a push for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Arab countries, aligning with his broader vision of Israeli expansion. His August 2024 remark about “getting more land” seems to foreshadow his January 2025 comments about resettling Palestinians elsewhere. This strategy appears to be testing the willingness of Arab leaders, particularly in Jordan and Egypt, to accommodate such a move.
Despite previously rejecting forced displacement, Arab leaders appear subservient to Trump’s agenda. Their swift congratulations following his election victory underscore this dynamic. Saudi King Salman, as quoted by RT on November 6, 2024, emphasized “the distinct close historical relations between the two friendly countries and peoples.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan posted on X: “I congratulate my friend Donald Trump on his victory. We hope Turkish-U.S. relations will be strengthened.” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated: “I extend my sincere congratulations…to foster the strategic partnership between Egypt and the U.S.” Jordan’s King Abdullah echoed this sentiment, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister joined in, expressing hopes for stronger bilateral ties. Even the new Syrian administration, under Ahmad al-Sharaa, congratulated Trump, stating: “We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East.”
Trump’s policies are setting the stage for further Israeli expansion, facilitated by Arab leaders willing to align with his administration’s vision. His administration’s prioritization of Israeli interests suggests that future developments will continue in this direction, with Palestinian displacement and settlement expansion at the forefront.
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