Trump’s role in Gaza ceasefire fuels Arab American discontent with Biden

Friday 17 January 2025 - 08:33

In November, Samraa Luqman, an Arab American voter, chose Donald Trump over Joe Biden, hoping that even a minimal chance of Trump pushing for a Gaza ceasefire would be better than the Democrats' failure to end the conflict. After Trump’s victory, Israel and Hamas agreed to pause hostilities in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed over the past 15 months. Despite Trump’s credit for the ceasefire, Luqman expressed anger towards President Biden for not finalizing the agreement sooner, criticizing Biden for letting more lives be lost.

Many Arab Americans, once strong Democratic supporters, shifted their allegiance due to the party’s stance on Israel's actions in Gaza. In Michigan’s Arab neighborhoods, Vice President Kamala Harris received less than 20 percent of the vote, with many turning to Trump or third-party candidates like Jill Stein. While Harris claimed that Biden’s administration worked tirelessly for a ceasefire, they continued to support Israel's military actions and vetoed multiple UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire.

Amer Ghalib, the Yemeni American mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, endorsed Trump, citing his support for peace and a ceasefire as key issues. Despite Biden and Trump both claiming credit for the agreement, it’s unclear how much influence Trump had in securing it. Reports suggest Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, played a key role in convincing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to the ceasefire. Trump had warned of escalating tensions if the Israeli captives were not released by January 20.

Arab American critics remain cautious about the deal, noting the uncertainty of its lasting effects, given Israel's previous violations of ceasefire agreements. While the announcement of a ceasefire was celebrated in Gaza, community advocates like Suehaila Amen expressed concerns over the Biden administration's reluctance to halt Israeli violence, highlighting the role Trump played in brokering the deal.

Arab Americans, especially in Michigan, continue to question Biden's commitment to addressing human rights violations in Gaza. As Biden's administration winds down, there is a sense of anger and disappointment among many who feel that the president's policies ignored their community's concerns. The deal brokered after Trump’s intervention is seen by many as a sharp contrast to Biden’s handling of the war, especially as they anticipate what the future holds under Trump’s leadership.