Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also been very vocal about his views on several international conflicts, including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and greater tensions in the Middle East. His stance on such issues is deeply rooted in his "America First" approach, wherein he focuses on the interests of the United States and tries to keep foreign policy in line with America's strategic goals. While he has not consistently articulated a singular position on every aspect of the Israel conflict, several key themes have emerged during his tenure and in his post-presidential statements.
Support for Israel by Trump
Donald Trump's administration is widely viewed as one of the most pro-Israel administrations in the history of modern United States. From the beginning of his presidency, he made clear his strong support for Israel, both in policy and rhetoric. This support is characterized by his decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2017 and formally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This move was highly controversial, as many countries and international organizations had traditionally refrained from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, given its contested status in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump's action, however, was seen by many as a clear sign of unwavering support for the Israeli government.
Trump also negotiated the "Abraham Accords," which were a set of accords in 2020 where Israel normalized its diplomatic relationship with several Arab states including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. The deal was a diplomatic success for Israel as it finally ended the decades-old consensus among the Arab world in not recognizing Israel unless their Palestinian issue is solved first. The Accords reflected the emphasis of Trump on establishing strong bilateral relationships with Arab countries while bypassing the Palestinian issue, arguing that this was more beneficial for stability in the Middle East as it fostered direct relations between Israel and its neighbors.
During his entire term in office, Trump highlighted the strength of a US-Israel partnership in his presidency. He continually emphasized shared values such as democracy and security. He also made efforts to suppress what he saw as anti-Israel sentiments at the UN by vetoing many resolutions against Israel and even cut funds to UN programs perceived as biased against Israel.
Trump Posture on Israel's Security and Self-Defense:
One of the consistent messages from Trump regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader regional tensions was that Israel had a right to defend itself against any threat. This was most evident during military flare-ups between Israel and groups such as Hamas in Gaza, or Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump constantly made the case that the security needs of Israel should be placed at the forefront, and he rejected international criticisms of Israeli military actions that he viewed as legitimate self-defense.
For instance, during the Israeli military operations against Hamas in Gaza, Trump did not hesitate to defend Israel's right to protect its citizens from rocket attacks and terrorist threats. He condemned international condemnation of Israel's acts, arguing that the world should understand the seriousness of the threat Israel faces from hostile neighbors and militant groups. His administration was tough on Iran, something he regarded as the 'number one terrorist supporter in that region', as he 'believed Hamas and Hezbollah was supported by them'. His administration frequently warned that appeasement of Iran or Palestinian organisations would encourage the elements, which were interested in obliterating Israel.
Trump's Criticism of Palestinian Leadership:
In many ways, Trump's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was unconventional. While previous presidents of the United States had tried to broker peace deals between Israel and the Palestinians, Trump took a different tack, largely sidelining the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its leadership. His administration's stance was that Palestinian leaders had missed opportunities for peace, often by rejecting offers of a two-state solution and engaging in terrorism and violence.
This move by Trump to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority, including humanitarian programs and diplomatic support, was framed as a consequence of what he saw as the PA's refusal to negotiate in good faith. He believed that by withholding aid, he could pressure Palestinian leaders to return to the negotiating table or accept a new approach to peace, one that did not hinge on traditional diplomatic formulas. The idea was widely criticized by the Palestinians and other international actors because of its unilateral approach in reforming the peace process outside of Palestinian representatives.
This Trump plan, unveiled in 2020, presented an offer for a two-state solution with major concessions that the Palestinians rejected outright. The package contained provisions that recognized Israeli sovereignty over large swaths of the West Bank and Israel's control over Jerusalem, in addition to calling for a Palestinian state with only limited autonomy in areas of Palestine. Critics viewed the idea as unworkable, and the Palestinians were unlikely to be receptive to the proposal. Trump, however, viewed this plan as a pragmatic solution that would bring stability to the region and create opportunities for economic development, though it was largely rejected by Palestinian leaders as unfair and one-sided.
Trump's Approach to the Iran-Israel Conflict:
One of the most contentious issues in the Middle East has been with regards to Iran. On many occasions, Iran's nuclear ambitions, support for militant groups across the region, and its calls for the destruction of Israel have become its primary adversaries to the Jewish state. Thus, his view on Iran as intersected with his understanding and interpretation of Israel's importance will be an interesting one for his foreign policy.
One of the most noted actions of President Trump's presidency was the withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. Trump had described this pact as defective and too chivalrous toward the regime in Iran. It allowed Iran to receive sanctions relief in exchange for its concession to limit its nuclear development. Trump, however, believed that the deal did not go far enough in curbing Iran's influence in the region, especially its support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
One example is Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, where he reimposed sanctions and sought to diplomatically isolate the country; Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders hailed the move. A longtime critic of the deal on Iran, Netanyahu must have welcomed the hard stance that Trump took. Israel received permission from the U.S. administration to begin military actions against Iranian installations within Syria and elsewhere, further enhancing their special bilateral relations.
This is where the Trump approach to Iran and his efforts to undermine its influence in the region are viewed as a direct benefit to Israel's security. However, critics of Trump's policy argue that his actions might lead to greater instability in the region, which might then lead to a larger conflict.
Trump's Legacy and Impact on Israeli-Palestinian Peace
Looking back, what Trump's legacy is on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle Eastern diplomacy remains in contention. His administration's policy was much appreciated by many in Israel and those who believe an unapologetic policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian issue is necessary. There was an Abraham Accords that appeared to be something of historical significance, poised to lay the groundwork for a reordered Middle East where Arab countries and Israel could collaborate for security, trade, and diplomacy.
On the other hand, many critics take the view that Trump's policies in reality killed off the two-state solution by tipping the scales too far in Israel's favor. The Palestinian Authority spat out Trump's peace plan and continuation of settlement expansion in the West Bank left many in the opinion that it was harder, not easier, under Trump.
While Trump's direct statements on the conflict in Israel often focused on issues of security and defense, he did not shy away from framing the conflict in a way that emphasized the U.S. role as a protector of Israel. He often portrayed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a complex issue with no simple solutions, but one where Israel's right to exist and defend itself was paramount.
Conclusion:
Donald Trump's thoughts and actions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were part of his larger foreign policy principles, which focused on placing U.S. interests at the forefront, strengthening alliances, and maintaining a strong defense of Israel. The pro-Israel stance of his administration, focus on Israel's security, and hardline approach to Palestinian leadership and Iran marked his Middle Eastern policies. While his approaches received great support in Israel as well as among his political base in the U.S., they also drew flak from those who thought his policies would undermine the hopes for peace. Trump's legacy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains inconclusive because it is still vague whether his policies will lead the region to long-term stability or make the divisions in this region deeper.
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