Dr.. Dr. Mohamed Makram Balaawi

As expected, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit, the US president surprised everyone with reckless, unbalanced, and illogical positions, in line with the so-called "madman strategy" he pursued in his first term. This time, however, many are convinced that the man is not acting according to this strategy, but rather that it is part and parcel of his normal behavior. One of the most prominent indicators that solidified this belief for many was his reckless statements regarding the Gaza Strip and his intention to "transfer its population" to neighboring countries, seize the land and build a large tourist resort similar to the French Riviera on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

This position shocked even the staunchest supporters of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip, not only because it is in line with these criminal (Israeli) proposals that violate international law and UN resolutions and are classified as crimes against humanity by international courts, but also because implementing such claims requires practical tools and procedures that are not available on the ground. The forced displacement of more than two million people is no small matter, especially with the failure of Israeli efforts to achieve displacement through all forms of violence. How does Trump intend to carry out these crazy actions without sufficient forces on the ground and without having a destructive capacity that exceeds that of Israel?

Israel has deployed nearly 300,000 troops and is believed to have lost some 2,000 military vehicles in Gaza (unsuccessfully), so how can Trump achieve this goal in the absence of military forces, unless he intends to commit another crime against humanity: starving the population to death? Although such an idea is not far from such a mindset, we have seen a direct and explicit rejection from the countries he mentioned as destinations for displacement, primarily Egypt and Jordan.

Moreover, when Trump offered clarification on rebuilding Gaza and turning it into another Riviera, he claimed that Arab countries-which have enormous wealth-would fund the project. This position reflects unprecedented arrogance and cynicism; not only does he seek to project the Palestinian people onto Arab countries and threaten their national security, but he expects Arabs, especially Saudi Arabia, to fund a plan that undermines their security and may ignite a new round of more violent conflicts (in the region). Saudi officials, especially Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, linked any potential diplomatic relations with Israel to the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, which was originally a Saudi initiative.

Netanyahu's response to the Saudi condition was no less brazen than Trump's; he suggested that Saudi Arabia establish a Palestinian state on its territory, continuing the arrogance and condescension that Trump has shown before. These positions not only represent an obstacle to Saudi-Israeli normalization, but could deal a serious blow to Saudi-US relations, which were expected to flourish under Trump's presidency, especially with his demands - or rather orders - for Saudi Arabia to provide a trillion dollars.

Whether Trump realizes it or not, his position represents a complete dismantling of his foreign policy doctrine, which he claimed was based on ending wars and applying soft pressure. In fact, this could mark the beginning of a major chain of events that makes the October 7 war look like a minor picnic next to it. Having clashed with almost everyone, Trump has become the elephant in the glass shop, making it imperative for Arab states to rethink their policies, not only toward Israel but also toward their Western backers, especially the United States, if they want to maintain their existence.

It goes without saying that successive Israeli policies have caused immense suffering in the region: The displacement of an entire people from their homeland, the occupation of Arab lands, including Islamic and Christian holy sites, and the denial of the rights of an ancient people with a history spanning thousands of years. These policies continue to generate more suffering and tragedy, based on a racist ideology that does not recognize human equality, but rather applies a moral standard to the weak, while allowing the strong to impose their rules as they please.

The Israeli attacks on Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the destruction of its military capabilities were unimaginable crimes, costing possibly billions of dollars, under the pretext of "preventive strikes". Israel has now given itself the right to hold others accountable for intentions, as in the Iranian nuclear file, ignoring all logic and rationality as long as it enjoys the protection of the international community, especially the United States, which has remained silent about these crimes.

Time and time again, events have proven what we have always emphasized: The cessation of cooperation with Israel, which considers itself above the law, is inevitable. The policy of complicity is dragging the entire world into an endless spiral of violence that could threaten global peace, not just regional stability. The Palestinian issue has always served as a mirror in which the world sees itself, but it has always chosen to look in the direction of its own interests.

(Article translated from English by Middle East Monitor)