‘With Trump in power, the situation in Gaza could get even worse’

Donald Trump’s election victory has been greeted with cheers in Israel. Many Israelis hope it will help their country win the wars with Hamas and Hezbollah.

But what exactly are Trump’s plans for the Middle East? He says he is fighting for “lasting peace” there, and promises that it will come “soon”. But how, almost everyone is in the dark about that.

Experts are confident: in the worst case scenario, America will allow Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to do his own thing even more. In other words: fewer obstacles to attacking Hamas and Hezbollah. The situation in Gaza could be even worse than it already is.

The love between Trump and Israel grew during his first term as president. He recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by moving the American embassy there to move. To the dismay of the Palestinians: they claim parts of that city and see the embassy’s move as encouragement.

Trump also recognized occupied land as Israeli territory. Israel was so grateful for this that they named a city after the American president: Ramat Trump.

In the studio of the right-wing Israeli channel Channel 14 they are very happy with Trump’s re-election:

The big question is to what extent Trump will prevent a war on his friend Benjamin Netanyahu. Recently, the Prime Minister of Israel has been making his own plans more and more. this week burnt his defense minister, Yoav Gallant. That was the same minister who sometimes went against Netanyahu, says Israeli professor of international relations Yossi Mekelman.

“No one is advocating for a ceasefire and the release of hostages anymore. The only consideration for not agreeing to a ceasefire is domestic politics, Gallant says. Not diplomatic or military issues This is exactly what Netanyahu wants.”

Israel depends on American support for its wars against Hamas and Hezbollah, both financially and materially. Trump will continue to provide that support, according to strategic analyst Haroon Sheikh.

He wouldn’t be surprised if Netanyahu’s war machine comes back even sooner. “Where the current US administration is trying to push Israel back a little bit, Trump will probably give strong support to Israel. “

Bad news for the Gazans who are still fleeing in large numbers from Israeli bombs during times of famine. They also heard that Trump promised peace in the Middle East. But according to Mekelman, they should not count themselves rich now that he has been elected.

“Palestinians say that Biden did nothing for them, that he did not work for peace talks. So I understand that they would prefer to leave Biden.

How valuable are Trump’s words about peace in the Middle East? It is difficult to estimate the former American journalist Casper Thomas. “Yes and it is not clear exactly what Trump’s peace plan is. I am very curious.”

Experts Mekelman and Sheikh fear that Trump’s election will lead to even more bloodshed, but Thomas sees it differently. He says that “there is no American president more friendly to Netanyahu” than the current one: Joe Biden. “His government has not put any obstacles on Netanyahu.

The question is whether Trump is so willing to fulfill his election promise – peace in the Middle East – that he will put pressure on his good friend Netanyahu. “Time will tell,” says Mekelman. “But whether you like Trump or not: when he decides to do something, he puts all his energy into it.”

What does Trump’s re-election mean for international relations? Nieuwsuur made this video about: