Trump Reverses His Promise of Being Neutral in the Mideast

During his campaign, President Trump has proposed of bringing peace to the Middle East by being neutral between Israel and the Palestinians. He promised to be “a neutral guy” and this promise fell flat two years later as he seemed to display close relationship with the Prime Minister of Israel.

On Monday, President Trump and Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had a meeting at the White House and showed great relationship despite the tension the two countries have had in the past seven decades since Israel independence. On the other hand, the president is showing no gesture of relationship with the Palestinians.

Mr. Trump has stated that he might pay a visit to Jerusalem in May to evaluate the transfer of the American embassy to the holy city. He also claimed that he was still attempting to reach peace with the Palestinians and showing no bias towards the two powers.

Contrary to his statement of neutrality, however, President Trump and Mr. Netanyahu has already met five times since the president’s inauguration in the span of 13 months, while the Palestinians seem to be out of the picture so far. In fact, in December, despite the pushback from the rest of the world, the two celebrated together Mr. Trump’s decision to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Mr. Netanyahu praised Trump generously to be one of the most significant figures in the history for the Jewish people, three of others including King Cyrus of Persia, Lord Arthur Fames Balfour, and President Harry S. Truman.

The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has brought the two significantly closer together. Also, Mr. Netanyahu has barely mentioned reaching peace with the Palestinians and seems to put his priority in Iran during his visits to Washington. President Barack Obama had signed an agreement with Tehran limiting its nuclear program and leaving room for negotiations of provisions of specifically ballistic missiles. Mr. Netanyahu’s hope resides primarily in the possibility for Mr. Trump to break this agreement down, as well as seeking support on countering Iran’s presence and control in Syria.

Mr. Netanyahu has expressed high suspicion and skepticism towards the Palestinians in the past and stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state is unrealistic as “empirically, it doesn’t work with what we see. When we leave land, terror organizations take it up. Immediately.”

On the other hand, Mr. Trump is still leaving the option of a compromise between the Palestinians and Israel open, as it would be a great feat of humanitarianism.

However, his recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital is in direct conflict with the Palestinian agenda as the Palestinian leaders have continuously claimed Jerusalem as their future capital. In fact, they have publicly stated after Mr. Trump’s declaration that they no longer viewed the United States as a neutral power. Since then, Mr. Trump has withheld $65 million from the aid for the Palestinian refugees, further triggering tension and suspicion in Palestinian leaders.

However, Mr. Trump recently pressured Israel to settle its construction in the West Bank, which has been responded with respect and approval from a Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas. There has also been consideration towards splitting Jerusalem into two so both powers can operate their capitals in the land, the west for the Israelis and the east for the Palestinians.

While President Trump has been cultivating a relationship with the Prime Minister of Israel, the conflict and peace between Israel and the Palestinians continue to unwind and evolve.

Featured Image via Wikimedia