Trump’s Impact on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the longest-standing and most complex geopolitical issues in modern history. Over the years, it has been shaped by various political leaders, with their policies influencing the course of the dispute. When Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States in 2017, his administration’s actions had a profound impact on the conflict, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy in the region.
1. Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital
One of the most significant and controversial moves by the Trump administration was recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This decision, made in December 2017, reversed decades of U.S. policy and broke with international consensus. For years, the status of Jerusalem was a contentious issue, with both Israelis and Palestinians claiming it as their capital. The United Nations had passed numerous resolutions calling for the city to have international status, while most nations maintained their embassies in Tel Aviv, Trump’s Impact on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018 angered the Palestinian leadership and many in the Arab world. They saw it as a direct acknowledgment of Israel’s sovereignty over the entire city, undermining the possibility of Jerusalem becoming the capital of a future Palestinian state. The move sparked protests and led to a further hardening of positions, with Palestinians accusing the U.S. of bias and abandoning its role as a neutral mediator in the peace process.
2. The “Deal of the Century”
Another major policy shift under Trump was the unveiling of the “Peace to Prosperity” plan in January 2020, often referred to as the “Deal of the Century.” The plan, crafted by Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, aimed to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict by proposing a two-state solution with a significant shift in favor of Israeli territorial claims.
The plan included provisions such as recognizing Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank, including settlements considered illegal under international law, and annexing the Jordan Valley. It also proposed a Palestinian state, but one that was heavily constrained, with restrictions on movement and limited control over borders and airspace. The plan was met with strong opposition from the Palestinian leadership, who rejected it outright, accusing the U.S. of siding entirely with Israel. They argued that the plan compromised their rights and violated key principles such as the pre-1967 borders, Trump’s Impact on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
While Israel expressed support for the plan, it further alienated the Palestinians, who felt their aspirations for statehood were disregarded. The rejection of the “Deal of the Century” marked another setback in the peace process, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
3. Normalization Agreements with Arab States
One of the unexpected consequences of Trump’s policies was the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. These agreements, known as the Abraham Accords, were heralded as a historic breakthrough in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
The normalization of ties between Israel and these Arab nations was partly a result of shared concerns over Iran’s regional influence and security threats. However, it also highlighted a shift in priorities for some Arab states, who were willing to put the Palestinian issue on the back burner in favor of closer relations with Israel. The U.S. played a pivotal role in brokering these agreements, but their timing—during Trump’s presidency—was seen by some as a way to sideline Palestinian demands and present a more pragmatic approach to the Middle East, Trump’s Impact on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
For Palestinians, the normalization agreements were seen as a betrayal by Arab countries, as they did not secure any concessions for Palestinian statehood or rights. The Abraham Accords, while offering economic and diplomatic benefits to the signatory Arab states, were viewed by many as a setback for the Palestinian cause.
4. Reduction of U.S. Aid to Palestinians
Another significant policy under Trump was the reduction of U.S. aid to Palestinians. In 2018, the Trump administration cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides aid to Palestinian refugees, and reduced humanitarian assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. These cuts were part of a broader effort to pressure the Palestinian leadership into negotiations, but they exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories, further inflaming tensions.
The U.S. also ended funding for programs that supported Palestinian institutions and development, which, according to critics, undermined efforts to build a viable Palestinian state. The Trump administration’s move was widely seen as punitive, aimed at forcing the Palestinians to accept the “Deal of the Century” or face isolation.
5. Impact on U.S.-Palestinian Relations
Trump’s policies strained the relationship between the United States and the Palestinian leadership. His actions were widely viewed as aligning the U.S. with Israel, particularly Netanyahu’s government, which was in power during much of Trump’s tenure. The Palestinians, who had long relied on U.S. mediation in the peace process, found themselves without a trusted partner.
The relationship hit a low point when the Palestinian Authority (PA) severed ties with the U.S. after Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The PA refused to engage with the Trump administration, and the U.S. had little leverage in its efforts to broker peace, Trump’s Impact on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
A Legacy of Division
Donald Trump’s presidency marked a defining moment in the Israel-Palestine conflict. His policies, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the promotion of the “Deal of the Century,” and the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, have had lasting consequences for the region. While these moves were hailed as significant achievements by Israel and its allies, they left Palestinians feeling marginalized and betrayed.
Brief
In the years following Trump’s departure from office, the legacy of his actions continues to shape the trajectory of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The polarization created by his policies has made it even harder for future administrations to find a path to peace. For many, Trump’s approach underscored the challenges of resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
