Dr. Hussein Al-Deek: There is a big difference in Trump’s handling of the Palestinian issue after he was freed from the pressures of Zionist lobbies, pressure groups, and the Christian right

Khalil Shaheen: Trump focuses on strengthening economic relations between Israel and Arab countries as a means of forcing Palestinians to accept unfair solutions

Dr. Dalal Erekat: There is an opportunity for the Palestinians after Trump’s return, but it requires strategic preparation and an initiative with a pragmatic position that guarantees political rights

Nabhan Khreisha: Trump is likely to push for temporary solutions such as establishing expanded self-rule as part of his efforts to conclude normalization agreements with major Arab countries

With Donald Trump's return to the White House, questions are renewed about his ability to end wars and achieve peace in conflict zones around the world, especially in the Middle East.

In separate interviews with “I,” writers, political analysts, university professors, and specialists indicate that during his inauguration speech, Trump announced that he would work to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, but he did not provide specific details on how to achieve these goals.

They point out that Trump, in his new term, seems to be focusing largely on domestic affairs, based on the slogan “America First.” He criticized the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden, and stressed the need to address security and immigration issues, and increase customs duties on imports. Indeed, Trump signed an executive order to increase customs duties by 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, in addition to addressing the inflation crisis and rising energy prices, and strengthening American industry.

They stress that Trump’s policies towards the Palestinian issue remain largely ambiguous. On the one hand, he played a role in pressuring Israel to cease fire in Gaza and conduct a prisoner exchange deal, but on the other hand, he showed a different view of the Strip. These statements raise questions about the extent of Trump’s commitment to a just solution to the Palestinian issue, especially in light of his focus on promoting normalization between Israel and Arab countries, which may be at the expense of Palestinian rights.

Normalization and reintegration of Israel into the region

The writer and political analyst specializing in American affairs, Dr. Hussein Al-Deek, confirms that US President Donald Trump, who assumed office on Monday, has proven since the beginning of his first presidential term that he is an unconventional president, who has a future political vision and great willpower and determination.

Al-Deek points out that Trump was able, despite the challenges and problems he faced, to achieve major victories, starting with winning the nomination from the Republican Party and eliminating his competitors, all the way to reuniting the party and successfully running in the presidential elections, and returning the Republican Party to its normal position by winning the congressional elections in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Al-Deek explains that Trump is very popular in American society, as he received more than 75 million votes in the last elections, and won the popular vote and the electoral college.

Al-Deek points out that Trump's first political experience from 2016 to 2021 strengthened the American citizen's support for him, noting that the executive orders signed by Trump after his inauguration confirm his seriousness and credibility in implementing his promises, and his focus on protecting American interests and rebuilding America under the slogan "America First."

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Al-Deek points out that Trump has a clear political vision that was represented from the beginning by a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and restoring things to normal, which he succeeded in doing.

Al-Deek explains that Trump is adopting a political project that focuses on achieving stability in the Middle East, reintegrating Israel into the region, and establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries, most notably the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He stresses that Trump's priority for the Palestinian issue stems from the priority of political and economic projects in the Middle East, especially with regard to oil and gas in the Arabian Gulf region, American investments, and economic relations between the United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states.

Al-Deek points out that Trump aims to achieve stability in the region, which cannot be achieved without resolving the Palestinian issue or presenting a political vision for it.

Al-Deek points out that former President Joe Biden did not present any political initiative to resolve the Palestinian issue, while Trump seeks to end wars, achieve economic stability, and establish economic relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries, and this requires presenting a final solution to the Palestinian issue.

Al-Deek believes that Trump can reduce the conflict and achieve a state of relative calm, security and stability in the occupied Palestinian territories, but the final solution is still unlikely at this time due to the factors operating on the ground, including the Israeli occupation, settlements, the Israeli right, and local and regional circumstances.

Al-Deek points out that Trump aims to end wars and conflicts that drain the US treasury, and instead focus on the economy.

Al-Deek explains that Trump succeeded in imposing a truce in the Gaza Strip by sending his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and threatening him with the president’s wrath if he refused to sign the agreement, which led to the signing of the truce within a week.

Al-Deek confirms that Trump is also seeking to achieve a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, stressing that the US President is serious about ending global wars and conflicts, and is focusing on strengthening the US economy, as Trump, as an economist, realizes the importance of achieving peace and stability to enhance economic growth.

Al-Deek asserts that there is a big difference between Trump’s handling of the Palestinian issue in his first and second presidential terms, pointing out that Trump was freed from the pressures of Zionist lobbies, pressure groups, and the Christian right after the end of his second term, which allows him to focus on his economic project and political vision towards a new phase of peace and stability in the US and the world.

Trump believes in imposing "peace" by force

Writer and political analyst Khalil Shaheen believes that US President Donald Trump's talk about peace and ending wars does not necessarily mean a definitive readiness to completely stop wars.

Shaheen explains that Trump believes in imposing “peace” by force, whether this force is economic through sanctions and trade measures, or military in some cases.

“Trump relies on economic power as a primary tool to achieve his goals, and this is evident in his expected policies against China, and to a lesser extent against Canada, Mexico and European countries,” Shaheen says. “He also does not rule out the use of military force, especially when he talks about regaining control of the Panama Canal, as he previously indicated that he might resort to the military option if economic pressures fail to achieve his goals.”

Regarding the application of the concept of imposing peace by force in the Middle East, Shaheen says: “Trump is re-presenting his ideas from his first term, especially what was known as the Deal of the Century, which focuses on achieving peace through economic prosperity. Recently, he sent his envoy to the region to speak about this matter clearly, stressing that the priority is to achieve peace and prosperity as a way to resolve conflicts, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

Shaheen points out that Trump relies on the idea of "facts on the ground" as the basis for any solution, which means marginalizing Palestinian rights according to the Arab vision and UN resolutions.

"Trump is focusing on strengthening economic relations between Israel and Arab countries as a means of forcing the Palestinians to accept unjust solutions, and this policy is close to the concept of using economic power to impose peace," Shaheen says.

Regarding the Gaza Strip, Shaheen says: “Trump talks about the need for a ceasefire and the release of prisoners, but he did not rule out returning to the use of force to achieve Israel’s goals. He rejects Hamas’s control over the Strip, whether militarily or administratively, and believes that Hamas bears responsibility for the deterioration of the situation in Gaza.”

Shaheen points out that Trump is re-proposing the ideas of the Deal of the Century, which stipulates the disarmament of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions, and making the Gaza Strip and the West Bank demilitarized zones. He also talks about establishing a Palestinian entity without sovereignty, based on self-administration without security or external control.

Regarding the possibility of amending the Deal of the Century in Trump’s second term, Shaheen says: “Trump may make some minor amendments to the Deal of the Century, taking into account new developments in the region, especially Israeli settlement expansion, but the essence will remain the same: annexing major settlements, maintaining security control over the Palestinian territories, and establishing Palestinian entities with diminished sovereignty.”

Shaheen explains that Trump believes that Israel has made sufficient concessions by accepting the presence of Palestinians on parts of what he considers “historical land of Israel,” noting that Trump adopts the Zionist biblical narrative of Israel’s right to exist.

Shaheen stresses that Trump's priority in the region will be to promote normalization between Israel and Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia.

Shaheen says: “Trump believes that economic and security normalization between Israel and the Arab countries is the key to achieving stability in the region and weakening Iran’s influence. This normalization will be at the expense of Palestinian rights, as the Palestinians will be forced to accept unjust solutions.”

According to Shaheen, "Trump believes that normalization with Saudi Arabia will be a gateway to broader normalization with other Arab and Islamic countries, which will strengthen the new regional alliance led by the United States."

Shaheen points out that Trump is considering major economic projects, such as the Indian land and sea corridor, which aims to strengthen American economic dominance in the face of China. This project may include the establishment of trade corridors linking the Arabian Gulf and the port of Haifa, and may extend to North Sinai and the Gaza Strip.

He points out that the comprehensive destruction that affected the northern Gaza Strip may be part of a plan to create a trade corridor linking Gaza to the port of Haifa, which would serve Israeli and American economic interests.

Regarding Palestinian bets on the new Trump administration, Shaheen says: “Palestinian bets on changing Trump’s policies may be disappointing, as the contacts that took place between Palestinian officials and Trump’s advisors did not result in promises of a radical change in his policies. What Trump can promise is to improve economic relations with the Palestinian Authority, provided that the Authority does not boycott his administration.”

"The Palestinian Authority is trying to prove its worth through security campaigns in the West Bank, but these efforts will be undermined by Israel carrying out extensive military operations in the northern West Bank," Shaheen added.

Shaheen warns that the situation may remain the same, especially with regard to the reconstruction of Gaza, which may be used as a tool to pressure the Palestinians.

"The bet on the new Trump administration may be a losing one if firm positions are not taken to protect Palestinian rights," Shaheen says.

A pragmatic character that lacks compatibility with political reality and international law.

Dr. Dalal Erakat, Professor of Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution at the Arab American University, confirms that US President Donald Trump’s speech after his inauguration reflects his seriousness in achieving his personal goals, including his ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

However, Erekat points out that this seriousness is characterized by a pragmatic nature that lacks compatibility with political reality, international law, and human rights.

Erekat points out that Trump's vision is based on American interests, with a focus on commercial, tourism and security aspects, without addressing the roots of the conflict in the Middle East, most notably the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Erekat explains that Trump's speech can be considered a potential opportunity, but she stresses the need for the Palestinians, in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, to remind Trump of the importance of drawing lessons from his previous experience in normalizing relations with some Arab countries.

Erekat stresses that if Trump is serious about achieving sustainable security and peace, he must integrate the Palestinians as a fundamental party in any strategic equation, while guaranteeing their political rights, including the right to self-determination, statehood, sovereignty, freedom, and defining the borders of the State of Israel.

Erekat points out that Trump placed the Palestinian issue among the priorities of his first presidential term through the “Deal of the Century,” which focused on an economic approach to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. However, this deal sparked great controversy because it ignored the political rights of the Palestinian people, such as the right to self-determination and Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Erekat believes that what Trump presented was closer to imposing a unilateral vision that serves Israeli interests at the expense of the Palestinians, without taking into account the opinion of the Palestinian leadership or addressing the roots of the conflict.

Erekat stresses that there is an opportunity for the Palestinians after Trump's return, but it requires strategic preparation and an initiative with a pragmatic position that guarantees political rights.

Erekat points out that Trump's first term witnessed significant transformations, but they were mostly negative for the Palestinian cause. The most prominent of these transformations were the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem, which represents a clear bias towards Israel and a violation of international resolutions, the reduction of support for UNRWA, which directly affected Palestinian refugees, and the normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab countries, which affected the unity of the Arab ranks towards the Palestinian cause.

Erekat believes that American moves during the Trump era strengthened Israel without providing just solutions to the Palestinian issue, making the solution seem more distant.

Erekat points out that the difference and what is expected now is the conclusion of an agreement with Saudi Arabia, considering that this is the “last card” that the Palestinians can rely on in this international pragmatic game.

Erekat points out that Trump, in his first action after his inauguration, lifted the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on West Bank settlers, reflecting the continuation of his pro-Israel policies.

Erekat stresses that any real peace initiative must deal with the Palestinian issue as an essential part, rather than bypassing or marginalizing it, while guaranteeing the political and economic rights of the Palestinian people within a comprehensive and just framework.

The United States will not enter into new armed conflicts.

Journalist Nabhan Khreisha explains that US President Donald Trump's policies were clear during his inauguration speech that the United States will not enter into new armed conflicts, and that he will work to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

But Khreisha stresses that Trump did not provide specific details on how to achieve these goals, which raises questions about the seriousness of these statements.

Khreisha explains that Trump's agenda in his new term focuses largely on domestic affairs, which can be inferred from his campaign slogan, "America First."

“In his inauguration speech, Trump criticized the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden, stressing that his administration would move toward addressing security and immigration issues, and increasing customs duties on imports,” Khreisha says.

Khreisha points out that Trump has already signed an executive order to increase customs duties by 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, in addition to addressing the inflation crisis and rising energy prices, and strengthening American industry.

“As a businessman, Trump expects the US to increase its income through these policies, but this trend is causing concern in many countries, including China, the European Union, Canada and Japan,” Khreisha said.

Regarding Trump’s promises to end wars, Khreisha says: “Despite his statements, these promises seem to contradict traditional American hegemonic policies. American forces are deployed in many areas around the world, whether by sea or land, which makes it difficult to believe that Trump will abandon this strategy.”

Khreisha explains that Trump indicated in his inauguration speech his intention to reoccupy the Panama Canal and annex Greenland, which is part of Denmark and has vast natural resources such as zinc, lead, gold, iron, oil and copper. These statements reflect an expansionist tendency that contradicts his promises to end wars.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Khreisha explains that Trump’s policies remain unclear so far, as his statements regarding the Israeli war on Gaza were contradictory, although he played a major role before assuming the presidency in pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire and conduct a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel.

But Khreisha pointed out that Trump showed a different view of the Gaza Strip after his inauguration, as Trump likened Gaza to a huge demolition site that could be rebuilt in a different way, and that Gaza enjoys an exceptional location on the sea and good weather conditions that allow for “beautiful things to happen.” Trump also suggested moving the residents of Gaza to Indonesia until the Gaza Strip is rebuilt, a statement that sparked widespread disapproval.

These ideas, Khreisha explains, are consistent with statements by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who said last February during a lecture at Harvard University that properties on the Gaza waterfront could be of great value, and called for efforts to move residents from the area and “clean up” the Strip.

Regarding the possibility of Trump offering radical solutions to the Palestinian issue, Khreisha says: “Trump’s position on the Gaza Strip may be an indicator of his general position on the Palestinian issue. As a businessman, his thinking seems to be dominated by commercial and political considerations, which reduces the possibility of him offering radical solutions that meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state.”

Khreisha believes that Trump will likely pressure Israel to provide temporary solutions, such as establishing expanded self-rule for the Palestinians, but such solutions will be part of his efforts to conclude normalization agreements between Israel and major Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia.

“Such a move may give Trump a chance to win the Nobel Peace Prize, but it will not achieve a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue,” Khreisha says. “Ultimately, it seems that Trump’s policies will continue to serve American interests first, without sufficient consideration for the aspirations of other peoples, including the Palestinian people.”