Mixed Reactions in Israel and Palestine to Trump’s Victory

In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the US Presidential Election, citizens of both Israel and Palestine have expressed a wide range of reactions, reflecting the complexities of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. Many in Israel view Trump’s win through the lens of security and economic interests.

Asher Krispin, a resident of Tel Aviv, remarked, “I think that many people here in the country are happy that Trump won in terms of security,” though he also expressed concerns that Trump might take a more stringent approach towards Israel. Similarly, Israeli-American Martin Shwartz highlighted Trump’s business acumen by stating, “Being in government is like running a business, and I believe Trump is a good businessman.” Shwartz believes that Trump’s skills could lead to effective governance.

For some, Trump’s victory is seen as a significant triumph in the ongoing battle against anti-Semitism. Ester Hadas from Tel Aviv celebrated the outcome, saying, “Today Trump’s victory was also ours. It’s a victory for all the American people, for all the Israeli people, and it’s a victory that will silence anti-Semitism around the world.”

In stark contrast, many Palestinians reacted negatively to the election results. Naim Fawzi, a resident of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, stated, “Trump’s victory signifies the continuation of bloodshed and indicates that American policy has not changed; it will remain supportive of Israel.” His sentiments reflect a broader skepticism among Palestinians regarding any potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.

Abdallah Abu Rahma, another Ramallah resident, shared a similar perspective: “We always hope for a change in American policy, for a victory for human rights, a victory for the Palestinians. But whether it’s Trump or Harris who wins, I believe that U.S. policy toward Palestinians will remain the same.” This sentiment underscores a widespread belief that the U.S. stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unlikely to alter significantly with a change in administration.

Trump’s Position on the Middle East

Donald Trump has consistently positioned himself as a staunch ally of Israel throughout his political career. He promised to work towards peace in the Middle East during his campaign, but his track record suggests a strong pro-Israel bias. During his previous term, Trump sought to reshape the Middle East landscape by fostering relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

In the wake of ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, all eyes are on how Trump will navigate these turbulent waters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Trump’s election win as “history’s greatest comeback,” celebrating it as a new chapter in the Israel-U.S. alliance. “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. This is a huge victory!” he proclaimed on social media.

During his first term, Trump maintained a close relationship with Netanyahu, but their rapport soured after Netanyahu publicly congratulated President Joe Biden following the 2020 election. Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Trump took a hardline stance, vowing to implement measures such as barring refugees from Gaza and initiating “ideological screening” for immigrants who may sympathize with Hamas.

Additionally, Trump has denounced pro-Palestine protests occurring on American university campuses and has made it clear that he intends to combat any criticism directed at Israel. “If you get me elected, and you should really be doing this … we’re going to set that movement [the pro-Palestine solidarity campaign] back 25 or 30 years,” he told a group of Jewish donors at a roundtable event in New York earlier this year.