Before the election, leftist voters repeatedly heard that not voting for Kamala Harris was counterproductive to the pro-Palestinian cause as a Donald Trump presidency would do far less to protect Palestinians under siege in Gaza. Now, it is clear Trump is making moves to delegitimize Palestine and Gaza through attempts at imperialist policies.
Although it is not a surprise to most that Trump pulled the United States out of the UN Human Rights Council after he did the same thing in 2018 due to “bias against Israel,” this move means Palestinian refugees are deprived of health care, food and education that U.S. funding to UNRWA supports.
Again, no one expected the U.S. to stick around when Trump won, and this was a fairly symbolic decision, but as a country that has failed to sign many important international human rights treaties, this is not a good look. A director at Amnesty International explained that this move shows nations that the U.S. does not care much about human rights violations in other countries. America is probably not going to call others out for misbehaving, and if the country in question could profit us, we may even give them some money to keep things rolling.
If this does not illuminate Trump’s sentiments towards Palestine, his desire to “take over Gaza” as if it is an old house in need of a makeover makes it clear that he does not think Palestine belongs to Palestinians. Although I pose the image of Palestine as a property for renovation figuratively, Trump takes this perspective quite seriously. He claimed — on the way to the Super Bowl, which somehow makes it more ridiculous — that Americans should think of Gaza “as a big real estate site”.
His aides are attempting to frame his plan as a generous offer to help pick up the pieces of the homes and hospitals the Israeli army destroyed. Unfortunately, any lie that his administration tells the media about these plans is diminished by his use of the term “own”. Fortunately, this overt imperialism is not politically feasible, as it would involve international funding and the temporary evacuation of Palestinians. It also assumes Palestinians would welcome in a country whose bombs were used to kill their people.
There is still the possibility for a sovereign Palestinian state that is built and led by Palestinians, but under the imperialist culture that the U.S. and Israel glorify, a two-state solution becomes decreasingly realistic. Both countries believe they have the right to a land that was never theirs. The fact that people already live there is simply an inconvenience to them. I have not seen colonial rhetoric expressed this directly since reading about Manifest Destiny in AP U.S. History.
The best weapon to oppose Trump’s efforts to undermine human rights in the U.S. is applicable to this international scenario as well — community support. Community and leadership exist in Palestine but are ignored. There is strong support for Marwan Barghouti to serve as the state’s president — a man who believes in a two-state solution between Palestine and Israel. In November, 83% of the women’s organizations in Gaza were still partially functioning to support those harmed in the war. There are even support groups where Palestinians and Israelis come together to mourn the losses they experienced throughout the conflict and share art that connects them.
In regimes where fascism and imperialism are increasingly prevalent, holding on to existing community structures and forming new ones is radical. By denying efforts to empower Palestinian institutions, the U.S. and Israel undermine Palestine’s sovereignty. This puts the safety of the states back in jeopardy as a Hamas leader threatened, “Whoever wants to work as an agent for Israel will bear the consequences of being Israel’s agent.”
A solution that respects Palestinian independence is not only essential to prevent further perpetuation of colonialism, but necessary to avoid future violence from Hamas. Egypt understands this prerequisite for peace and vows to uphold Palestinian authority that is not Hamas, and ensure the Palestinian people can stay in Gaza during its reconstruction. Furthermore, Arab states agree to only intervene if it does not harm the construction of an independent Palestinian state.
Trump’s suspension of funding to UNRWA opposes the exact sentiment of supporting existing community structures, but this is not a surprise as America is in its own domestic human rights crisis. His administration has passed anti-LGBTQ+ orders that even Israel, a country Trump is trying so hard to please, criticizes. Within the U.S., Americans must maintain community organizations that uphold the human rights that Trump wishes to deny and support local pro-Palestinian causes to keep Uncle Sam’s hands off Palestine.
Julianna Steach has a passion for human rights. Write to her at jhs106@pitt.edu.
