Donald Trump’s influence on the war between Israel and Palestine

Donald Trump’s influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly during his presidency (2017-2021), was significant, as his administration pursued a series of policies that strongly favored Israel and marked a departure from previous U.S. approaches to the conflict. Here are the key ways in which Trump’s policies shaped the situation:

1. Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital (2017)

One of Trump’s most consequential actions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in December 2017. This decision was a departure from decades of U.S. policy, which had refrained from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital due to its contested status. The move angered Palestinians and many Arab nations, as they view East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital significantly strained U.S.-Palestinian relations and was seen as a loss of impartiality by the Palestinians.

2. The « Peace to Prosperity » Plan (2020)

In January 2020, the Trump administration unveiled its long-awaited Middle East peace plan, officially called the « Peace to Prosperity » plan. The proposal, which was crafted largely by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, sought to resolve key issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as borders, security, and the status of Jerusalem. However, the plan was heavily tilted in favor of Israeli interests. It proposed:

• Recognition of Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley and settlements.
• A demilitarized Palestinian state, with limited control over borders and security.
• Jerusalem remaining undivided as Israel’s capital, while Palestinians would have a capital in parts of East Jerusalem but with limited sovereignty.

The plan was rejected by the Palestinians, who viewed it as unfair and a denial of their rights to self-determination. It was praised by Israel but widely criticized by the international community and Palestinian leadership.

3. Normalization of Relations Between Israel and Arab States

Trump played a pivotal role in brokering the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco through a series of agreements known as the Abraham Accords (2020). These agreements were significant because they marked the first such peace deals between Israel and Arab countries since the 1990s, and they were seen as a shift in the Arab world’s approach to Israel, driven by common concerns about Iran and the strategic interests of the Gulf states. However, these deals were viewed by Palestinians as a betrayal, as they were made without resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which had been central to Arab foreign policy for decades.

4. Cuts to Palestinian Aid and U.N. Agencies

Trump’s administration made significant cuts to U.S. aid to Palestinians. In 2018, the U.S. ended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees. The administration also reduced economic and security aid to the Palestinian Authority (PA), further exacerbating tensions. These cuts were part of a broader strategy to pressure the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table under terms favorable to Israel.

5. Expansion of Israeli Settlements

Under Trump, the U.S. effectively gave Israel a green light to continue expanding its settlements in the West Bank, which is considered illegal under international law. In 2019, the Trump administration announced that it no longer considered Israeli settlements to be in violation of international law, reversing a long-standing U.S. position. This was seen as a significant win for Israel and a setback for Palestinians, as the continued expansion of settlements is one of the main sources of tension in the conflict.

6. General Shift Toward Israeli Interests

Throughout his presidency, Trump largely embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, offering strong diplomatic and military support. Trump’s rhetoric consistently sided with Israel, including defending its right to defend itself from rocket attacks from Gaza and supporting its military actions in the region. He also distanced the U.S. from international efforts to critique Israeli policies, particularly in the United Nations, where the U.S. vetoed several resolutions critical of Israel.

7. Reactions from the Palestinians

Palestinians strongly opposed Trump’s policies, particularly his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the “Peace to Prosperity” plan. They viewed the U.S. as no longer an impartial mediator in the peace process. The Palestinian Authority cut ties with the Trump administration and refused to engage in any negotiations under the terms proposed. Additionally, Trump’s policies deepened Palestinian divisions, particularly between the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza.

Conclusion

Trump’s influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was marked by a clear tilt toward Israeli interests, at the expense of Palestinian aspirations for statehood and self-determination. His administration’s actions, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the Peace to Prosperity plan, and the normalization of Arab-Israeli relations, were seen as undermining the prospects for a two-state solution and complicating efforts to revive peace talks. The legacy of Trump’s policies continues to shape the dynamics of the conflict today.