Contrasting Perspectives in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Like many Israelis, Bronx-born Eli Knoller, who holds dual citizenship and resides in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, hopes that the next American president will allow Israel to “finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza, where his son tragically lost his life in battle.
In stark contrast, Abduljabbar Alqam, a Palestinian American living just a few miles away, is deeply troubled by what he perceives as U.S. complicity in the ongoing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Despite their differing viewpoints, both men share one significant commonality: neither plans to cast their vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming elections.
Mr. Alqam feels that the Biden administration has been excessively supportive of Israel and its military actions in Gaza, while Mr. Knoller contends that the administration has not provided enough backing for Israel during this critical time.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, tens of thousands of U.S. citizens inhabit opposing sides of one of the world’s most entrenched conflicts. Many of them express profound disappointment with the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza, which was ignited by the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel last October.
Opinion polls indicate that Israelis predominantly favor former President Donald J. Trump, reminiscing about his strong support for Israel, a nation currently facing rising international isolation. Conversely, many Palestinians are disillusioned with President Biden’s unwavering backing for Israel, perceiving little distinction between the two presidential candidates. Their frustrations reflect a broader discontent regarding the war in Gaza that spans the entire American political spectrum.
As a testament to these sentiments, giant posters in Jerusalem from 2020 depicted then-President Donald J. Trump alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting the close relationship between the two leaders. Current opinion polls show that Israelis largely anticipate a Trump victory in the upcoming election.
