Palestinians pin hopes on Saudi role amid concerns over Trump administration
- U.S.-Palestinian relations are currently strained due to the aftermath of Donald Trump's re-election and concerns over potential annexation by Israel.
- Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas, are attempting to reset relations with the Trump administration through diplomatic overtures.
- The primary hope for Palestinians lies in the potential normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, contingent on actions towards Palestinian statehood.
In the wake of growing tensions and uncertainties in U.S.-Palestinian relations following the election of Donald Trump for a second term, Palestinians express increasing concern about their future. The relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem during Trump's first term exacerbated these tensions, and with potential annexation threats from Israel looming, many Palestinians feel a sense of despair regarding their political landscape. Amid this crisis, there is no clear plan or solution from Palestinian leaders about how to navigate a possible rift with the Trump administration, particularly given the prospect of a Cabinet filled with settler sympathizers. Notably, there have been diplomatic overtures directed towards the United States by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, highlighting hopes for a reset in relations through a phone call congratulating Trump soon after his electoral victory. Meanwhile, interactions with Trump's father-in-law, Massad Boulos, are also noted as possible paths to a new phase in diplomatic relations. Despite these gestures, the Palestinian authority exhibits uncertainty about the efficacy of international law and feels pressured by the escalating demands of Israeli hard-liners. As a potential course of action, Palestinian leaders are banking on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel with Saudi Arabia—a key player looking to normalize relations with Israel under specific conditions that include addressing the Palestinian statehood issue and ceasing hostilities in Gaza. The divergent paths among Israeli and U.S. officials create a precarious situation for Palestinians, who find themselves without a solid backup plan as negotiations or pressures from Saudi Arabia to help mediate become crucial in the ongoing struggle for statehood. Should the Saudi position soften, or hard-liners in Israel or the U.S. exert their influence, the Palestinians might face dire repercussions with no contingency plan in place.