Written by: Marwan Tubasi
The results of last night’s U.S. elections have significant regional and global implications, impacting the Israeli situation and dynamics of U.S. - Israel relations, especially this year. The Democratic Party faced a series of internal and external challenges, leading to internal divisions and a decline in popularity across several states. Voters punished the Democrats for the perceived failures in economic, social, and foreign policies.
Notably, Palestine featured prominently in the election discourse in recent months, as U.S. public opinion became increasingly aware of the ongoing aggression, including the impact of settlements and documented human rights violations. As a result, this shift contributed to a decline in the Democratic Party’s base, with some supporters moving to the Republican side. Today, it is our responsibility as Palestinians to take a decisive, historic stand grounded in a clear and bold national vision to confront current challenges – without relying on American solutions, which offer little real change. U.S. foreign policy, whether under Republicans or Democrats, has consistently shown a bias against Palestinian rights.
Meanwhile, Israel is facing an unprecedented escalation of political and security challenges. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of “Defense” Minister Yoav Gallant highlights his intent to weaken internal opposition and consolidate control over the government coalition. Israeli society is also facing deepening divisions between ultra-religious factions and the secular groups that were foundational to the state. Gallant’s dismissal, despite his relatively moderate position within the government, represents another move in Netanyahu’s broader strategy to bolster the influence of extremist religious movements.
However, these policies have sparked a strong backlash, as popular protests against Netanyahu's government and decisions have intensified. Yesterday, thousands took to the streets again, highlighting the profound divisions within Israeli society. At the same time, the government faces serious security challenges, such as the escalation of aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, and Lebanon’s continued shelling in the north, which caused widespread displacement from neighboring settlements, further exacerbating the pressure on Israel's security and stability.
Amid this complex internal situation, Netanyahu is leveraging America’s current transitional period to consolidate his power in Israel and advance his alliance with the far-right. Trump’s victory, given his populist, pro-Israel stance, could further embolden Israeli policies rooted in extreme Zionist ideology, potentially giving Netanyahu’s government a green light for further regional escalation. Known for his unwavering, unconditional support for Israel, Trump may contribute to intensified actions against Palestinians. Yet, regardless of election outcomes, Democrats have shown little deviation from Republicans in their support for Israel. The Democratic Party has paid a significant price for this partnership, as well as for its stance on the proxy war in Ukraine and the escalating tensions with China.
The escalation of Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, coupled with increasing threats against Iran, - seeking to strengthen its regional position in the absence of a unified Arab stance - places Israel in an extremely difficult security situation. For the first time, around two million Israelis are taking refuge in shelters amid intensified bombardment. These security challenges come at a time when Israel is under unprecedented pressure, with widening internal divisions and rising external threats. Israel is also confronting growing international isolation and increased scrutiny under international justice.
The dismissal of Gallant appears to be an attempt by Netanyahu to shift attention away from other pressing issues, such as political scandals and leaked documents, while deflecting increasing calls to address the issue of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza. Furthermore, Netanyahu's exclusion of religious individuals from military service has provoked strong backlash from secular youth, deepening divisions within Israeli society.
Amid these escalating Israeli crises and Trump’s return, Palestinians find themselves at a historic crossroads that requires a unified position and clear national strategy, free from reliance on American illusions. As Palestinians, we must craft new visions, grounded in a careful reassessment of our policies. This must be built on popular unity, genuine national representation, and the protection of Palestinians. This requires empowering the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, unifying its ranks as the leader of national liberation, and revitalizing it as the core of our movement- moving away from policies that rely on unattainable external support or American illusions.
Today, more than ever, regional changes compel us to abandon the isolationist approaches that have harmed us and led to setbacks, as history does not tolerate a vacuum. The occupation must be confronted politically and publicly until the aggression ends. The challenges ahead will inevitably intensify with Trump’s return, who previously recognized occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital and may now take further actions to advance the joint American-Israeli vision in the region. Confronting this requires a comprehensive national vision that prioritizes the interests of the Palestinian people, fosters their unity, and upholds their rights based on the unity of the people, land, and cause, with the first goal being the end of the occupation.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's views and not necessarily the Association's or donor's opinion.
