The election of Donald Trump has sparked numerous international reactions. While Israel welcomes this victory, in the occupied West Bank, opinions are mixed.
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A giant advertisement, in the heart of Tel Aviv, to congratulate Donald Trump. In the Israeli city, some residents are delighted with the return of the Republican candidate to the White House.
Some believe Mr. Trump’s victory is a step in the right direction in the fight against anti-Semitism.
“Today we achieved victory with Trump. It is a victory for all the American people, for all the Israeli people, and it is a victory that erases every word of anti-Semitism in the world,” explains Ester Hadas, Resident of Tel Aviv.
In the occupied West Bank, the population is less enthusiastic.
“Trump’s victory for a second term means continued bloodshed and indicates that American policy has not changed; it will continue to support Israel. It means continued bloodshed,” said Naim Fawzi, a resident of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
Before the results were announced, some argued that a change of president would have no impact on US policy in the region.
“We always hope for a change in American policy, with a victory for human rights, a victory for the Palestinians. But whether it’s Trump or Harris, I think the policy towards the Palestinians will remain the same,” explains Abdallah Abu Rahma, Resident of the occupied West Bank.
What is Donald Trump’s position on the Middle East?
Although Donald Trump promised last week to guarantee peace in the Middle East if elected, he has consistently positioned himself as a strong defender of Israel.
During his first term, he attempted to reconcile Israel and Saudi Arabia, and all eyes are now on how he will intervene in the conflicts raging in the region between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump’s victory a “greatest comeback in history”.
“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America. It is a tremendous victory,” he wrote on social networks.
Trump and Netanyahu – another conservative nationalist – enjoyed a close relationship during the former president’s first term, but ties became strained when Netanyahu congratulated President Joe Biden on his 2020 victory.
The election of Donald Trump was welcomed by part of the Israeli political class, who hope for a strengthening of the alliance between Washington and Tel Aviv.
While Mahmoud Abbas says he is “confident” after this victory, in a statement, Hamas declared that it will judge Donald Trump “based on his policy towards the Palestinians.”
The war in the Gaza Strip has led to numerous protests in the United States to denounce American support for Israel.
