November 7, 2024
Following Donald Trump’s election victory, a senior Hamas official has publicly called for an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and appealed for support toward establishing Palestinian statehood. Hamas Political Bureau member and spokesperson Basem Naim conveyed these remarks to Newsweek, framing Trump’s election as an opportunity for a renewed approach in U.S.-Middle East relations.
“The election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans,” Naim said, “but Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and look for assistance in achieving their legitimate rights of freedom, independence, and the establishment of their independent self-sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Naim also criticized the “blind support” for Israel, suggesting that U.S. policies have compromised regional stability and hindered peace efforts. This comes as Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continues military actions in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East in response to recent attacks.
Israel’s Perspective on Trump’s Return
While Hamas expressed hope for a shift in U.S. policy, Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, welcomed Trump’s victory with optimism about a strengthened U.S.-Israel alliance. Netanyahu called Trump’s election “history’s greatest comeback” and emphasized his confidence in Trump’s support for Israeli security, underscoring the long-standing bipartisan nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
In a statement, an Israeli official echoed this sentiment: “We have no doubt that this [relationship] will continue… [and] we look forward to a strong working relationship with his administration to bring about a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East.”
A Divisive Foreign Policy Issue
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has since broadened to include Hezbollah in Lebanon and other Iran-aligned factions, remains a focal point in U.S. foreign policy. While Biden’s administration continued providing military aid to Israel, it faced criticism for its approach to civilian casualties in Gaza. Trump, for his part, has previously criticized Netanyahu’s leadership during wartime but has also voiced a commitment to bring the conflict to a swift resolution.
Palestinian Authority’s Response
Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the West Bank-based government, extended congratulations to Trump, expressing hope for a peaceful resolution to the region’s longstanding issues. Abbas emphasized his commitment to achieving statehood based on international law, noting the Palestinian desire for “freedom, self-determination, and statehood.”
This approach contrasts with Hamas’s position, as Abbas’s administration has aimed to work diplomatically within international frameworks while Hamas has taken a more confrontational stance. Abbas also stated his aspiration for continued U.S. support in pursuing “legitimate aspirations” for Palestinian statehood.
The Path Forward: Middle East Policy Under Trump
Trump’s initial presidency was marked by a strong alignment with Israel, highlighted by his decision to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 and his “deal of the century” peace proposal in 2020. This plan offered conditional Palestinian autonomy and required extensive concessions from Palestinian leadership, which ultimately rejected the proposal.
While Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and multiple Arab nations, his policies on Iran were notably contentious. The U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the assassination of IRGC General Qassem Soleimani escalated tensions with Tehran, a situation that Trump has argued would have deterred Iran from supporting attacks against Israel.
Looking Ahead
As Trump prepares to take office, Hamas and the Palestinian Authority express guarded optimism for renewed peace efforts, albeit through differing strategies. For Israel, Trump’s administration is anticipated to reinforce security cooperation and counteract Iranian influence in the region.
The international community now watches closely to see how Trump’s Middle East strategy will evolve and whether his administration’s renewed influence can bring stability or exacerbate ongoing tensions in the region.
Sources:
- Newsweek’s Exclusive with Hamas
- Israel’s Response via Fox News
- Hamas Statement on Election Outcome
- Abbas Statement on Trump’s Victory
- Abraham Accords Background via BBC
