Palestinians Anticipate Trump's Return to the White House

With Donald Trump poised to re-enter the White House, Palestinians express mixed emotions, oscillating between hope and concern.

Gaza inhabitants, who have endured extensive bombings and displacement, eagerly await the policies of the new American leadership. The result of the U.S. election has sparked both optimism and anxiety across the Palestinian territories, which include Gaza and the Israeli-controlled West Bank.

Rakan Abdul Ahman, a resident of Gaza, voices his desire for the incoming U.S. leader to persuade Israel to cease its aggressive actions.

"Our community has suffered enough loss, especially among women and children," he stated, expressing his wish for Trump to alleviate the ongoing distress in Gaza.

Ahmed Harb, a journalist from Gaza, views the Trump administration's promises as a potential turning point. Trump's vow to conclude wars raises Harb's hopes, particularly for the resolution of the Gaza conflict.

"I hope he's sincere," Harb remarked, cautioning against ending the conflict at the cost of Palestinian rights.

This concern is echoed among Palestinian leaders such as Mustafa Bargouti, who continues to practice medicine and leads the Palestinian National Initiative. The party advocates for a democratic governance system in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Bargouti questions the methodology for halting the conflict. "Does it involve annexing territories, or perhaps displacing Palestinians? Or should it involve pressuring Israel to abandon its illegal settlements?" he asks.

The conflict, intensified by an assault by groups recognized as terrorist organizations by the U.S. and Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties on October 7, 2023, has expanded focus on encroachments on Palestinian land.

A record number of provisional Jewish settlements, or 'outposts,' were established on Palestinian land in 2023. These makeshift dwellings oftentimes only consist of shipping containers but serve as initial claims to territory that settlers later seek to legitimize through Israel's courts.

Members within Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet, known for right-wing perspectives, endorse Jewish expansions in the West Bank, including the proliferation of these outposts. They advocate for removing Palestinians and annexing the entire region as Israeli territory, a move that stands contrary to international laws and, according to Bargouti, promises to exacerbate regional tensions.

"Our struggle for justice will persist," Bargouti asserts. "Challenges lie ahead and hardships will ensue. Yet, surrendering is not an option. Allowing ethnic displacement is unacceptable."

As Trump selects pro-Israel figures for pivotal roles—that of Mike Huckabee, a candidate for U.S. Ambassador to Israel, stands out—Palestinians observe these developments nervously.

Huckabee, known for his evangelical Christian beliefs, has controversially dismissed the notion of Palestinian existence.

When voices like Huckabee claim no occupation or settlements exist, equating them to mere Israeli communities, Bargouti argues it reflects a disregard for international law.

Trump's previous tenure opposed settlement expansion in the West Bank and proposed a 'deal of the century,' aiming for a Palestinian state configuration.

This plan envisioned a state composed of isolated Palestinian enclaves surrounded by Israeli territory, a proposal that faced rejection from both Palestinians and Israeli settlers.

Even if Trump attempts to reintroduce similar plans, they will encounter a more resolved Palestinian opposition, strengthened by the hardships endured in the past turbulent year in Gaza.

Israeli hardliners within Netanyahu's administration, opposing any concept of Palestinian governance, maintain their stance.

Nonetheless, Bargouti seems prepared for what's to come.

"Undoubtedly, it will be a tough period for everyone," Bargouti conveyed. "But regardless of the circumstances, Palestinians are resolute in their fight for freedom."