Palestinians Respond to US Presidential Race: 'Trump Would Be the Worst

In the wake of President Joe Biden's decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race, Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank are expressing a mix of skepticism and concern about the potential impacts on their ongoing crisis. The prospect of a Kamala Harris presidency or a return of Donald Trump to the White House has sparked conversations about the future of U.S. policy in the region, particularly regarding Israel's military actions in Gaza.

Since October 7, when Hamas-led attacks resulted in 1,139 Israeli casualties and 250 hostages, Israel has waged a devastating campaign in Gaza. This conflict has claimed at least 39,090 Palestinian lives, displaced nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, and precipitated a humanitarian crisis marked by widespread hunger and malnutrition.

Many Palestinians view the current U.S. administration's stance as deeply problematic. Raed Debiy, head of the political science department at An-Najah National University in Nablus, articulated this sentiment: "Biden brought American machines to protect the Israeli occupation and used American vetoes [in the United Nations Security Council] to protect Israel's genocidal policies." This perspective underscores the frustration with what many Palestinians see as unconditional U.S. support for Israel.

The potential ascendancy of Vice President Kamala Harris to the Democratic nomination has not instilled much hope for change among Palestinians. Her history with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and past statements supporting Israel's right to "self-defense" have led many to expect a continuation of current policies. Fathi Nimr, a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah, opined, "There is no indication that Harris had disagreements with Biden about [Israel's war on Gaza]. I think it will be more of the same."

However, some, like Ismat Mansour, who spent 20 years in Israeli prisons, see a glimmer of possibility that Harris might approach the situation differently. "Maybe Harris would work with the UN more and pressure Netanyahu to do a [captive] deal and to find a solution for Gaza because the entire world has an interest in restoring stability in the region," Mansour suggested.

The prospect of Donald Trump returning to the presidency elicits even stronger reactions. Asmaa Nimilaat, sheltering in a hospital in Deir el-Balah, Gaza, stated bluntly, "Trump would be the worst. But any candidate that becomes president will not support Palestinians."

For many in Gaza, the political maneuverings in Washington seem distant and irrelevant in the face of immediate survival concerns. Ibrahim Nabeel, a volunteer medic in Khan Younis, expressed a sentiment echoed by many: "Honestly, Palestinians really don't care who the next U.S. president will be. They just want whoever it is to stop the genocide."

The ongoing conflict has not only devastated Gaza but has also enabled Israel to quietly expand its control in the West Bank, seizing more land in the past year than in any other year in the last three decades. This dual crisis underscores the complexities of the situation and the challenges facing any future U.S. administration.

Salah Abu Maghseeb, a 25-year-old drink vendor at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, summed up a common perspective: "With American support, Israel is the most powerful killer of the Arab people." This statement reflects the widespread belief among Palestinians that U.S. policy is a key factor in the ongoing conflict.

As the U.S. presidential race unfolds, the voices from Gaza and the West Bank serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the deep-seated skepticism towards U.S. foreign policy in the region. Regardless of who occupies the White House, Palestinians are calling for an end to the violence and a path towards peace and stability.

The international community watches closely as these political developments unfold, recognizing that the outcome of the U.S. election could have far-reaching implications for the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader Middle East region.