The chairman of a coalition which successfully lobbied Arab-Americans to vote for Donald Trump has criticized the new president for his recent comments on Gaza.
“Arab-Americans for Trump firmly rejects President Donald J Trump’s suggestion to remove – voluntarily or forcibly – Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt and Jordan,” said Dr Bishara Bahbah, national chair of Arab Americans for Trump.
The statement indicates early tension with a significant demographic that played a role in President Trump’s victory in November.
A crucial number of Arab-Americans, particularly in locations like Michigan, contributed to Mr Trump’s win. Margins in cities such as Dearborn and Hamtramck were essential to his success.
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In November, Dr Bishara Bahbah was happy about Donald Trump’s election win
The statement, issued late on Sunday as an “urgent press release,” affirmed: “We strongly believe that the ONLY resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict is a two-state solution… Arab Americans for Trump appreciate the President for imposing a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We anticipate the President and his team to focus on the reconstruction of Gaza and initiate the process leading to the formation of a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully with Israel.”
Dr Bahbah, a Palestinian-American entrepreneur, played a significant role in mobilizing Arab-American support for Mr Trump.
He organized a group of influencers in a successful “ground game” during the election campaign to generate backing for President Trump.
He shared with Sky News that President Trump personally committed to a two-state solution and that he believes the president has a “contract” with the Arab-Americans who backed him.
“Mr President, we have a contract….” he stated. “We fulfilled our part of the contract by voting for you. We stand by you to ensure your administration upholds your end of the bargain.”
People in Gaza hope to be allowed to return to the northern part of the strip. Pic: Reuters
Over the weekend, President Trump suggested the possibility of “cleaning out” Gaza and relocating Palestinians to Jordan or Egypt.
“I’d like him to take people,” the president mentioned, recounting his discussion with Jordan’s King Abdullah on Saturday.
“You’re talking about a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing. You know, over the century, it’s had many, many conflicts. And I don’t know, something has to happen… I’d like Egypt to take people,” Mr Trump added, indicating his intention to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.
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The support of Arab-American communities in the US for Trump was significantly influenced by the Biden administration’s approach to the Gaza conflict.
The Gaza ceasefire was viewed as an early affirmation of their decision but has been called into question by Mr Trump’s recent statements.
Similar to his other policies and decisions, President Trump’s actions appear to be driven by a transactional perspective.
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Dr Bahbah believes President Trump acknowledges that regional stability and peace necessitate a resolution to the Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution, and sees a significant diplomatic victory in achieving Middle Eastern peace.
However, recent events demonstrate that American foreign policy can quickly pivot, influenced by appealing transactional offers or the persuasiveness of the last person in the room with the president.