Trump’s Middle East Tour and Ceasefire Negotiations
Donald Trump is setting out on a Middle East tour this week, aiming for a significant foreign policy achievement. He managed to secure a permanent ceasefire by negotiating with Israel for the release of hostages held in Gaza. While he may want to steer clear of the ongoing conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently wields little influence to bring an end to the fighting. If Trump were to support Israel’s existing strategy, he would essentially rebuke the U.S. for what many see as a plan for total destruction in the region.
Local health officials report that, as a result of Israeli strikes, over 52,000 lives have been lost in Gaza. Essential facilities like bakeries, hospitals, and schools have all been ravaged, and humanitarian aid has been stalled for two months. The situation has led to widespread hunger. Recently, Israeli officials hinted that if an agreement is reached for the hostages taken during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, the military would devastate Gaza, potentially turning it into an area devoid of Palestinians. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his belief that Gaza would be “completely destroyed,” suggesting that Palestinians would come to see it as a hopeless situation, dismissing the return of hostages as less important.
Josep Borrell, a former EU foreign secretary, noted that national leaders seldom provide a clear plan that aligns with the legal considerations of genocide. Last January, the International Court of Justice recognized a “plausible risk” for genocide, endorsed by organizations like Amnesty International and the United Nations Special Committee, along with prominent scholars who argue that genocide is occurring in Israel.
Many in Israel, including government critics, are outraged by the implications of responsibility. The United Nations defines genocide as actions aimed at “destroying a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.” This encompasses killing and creating life-threatening conditions. The evident intent behind the complete destruction of Gaza, with a goal to remove the population rather than simply win a battle, suggests a troubling agenda toward systematic elimination. Egypt and Jordan have refused to accept refugees, fearing complicity in war crimes.
Legal avenues to prove genocide are often costly and time-consuming. Over the last decade, Washington has officially designating genocide in conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Myanmar, and Sudan, without waiting for judicial affirmation. International law tends to progress slowly, but the U.S. and the U.K., as signatories to treaties, have a responsibility to prevent and respond to genocide. The global perception is shifting, as public opinion increasingly views Israel’s actions as bound by double standards. Yet, Israel enjoys not only protections due to its Holocaust history but also as a democratic ally of the West, bolstered by significant U.S. military support. The current strategy regarding Gaza seems to disregard the Palestinian population entirely—raising serious ethical questions about potential genocide. When, if not now, will the U.S. and its allies take action to quell this fear?
Trump’s apparent disregard for Palestinian lives and his vision of transforming Gaza into the “Middle Eastern Riviera” have arguably exacerbated the Israeli administration’s destructive tendencies. However, he has a unique opportunity to use his influence to halt this devastation. This could be a pivotal moment in his Middle Eastern legacy, for all the right reasons.
