Donald Trump’s recent threats against Hamas—demanding the release of hostages in Gaza or facing “hell to pay in the Middle East”—have shattered any remaining illusions about where he stands on Palestine.

For the Arabs who thought Trump was an unconventional leader who might disrupt the U.S.’s pro-Israel bias, his words are a blunt reminder: He was never on our side.

Trump’s stance has always been about serving Israeli interests, as evidenced by his first term in office. Yet, some Arabs, frustrated by years of broken promises from other U.S. administrations, bought into the myth that his “outsider” persona and transactional politics might somehow benefit Palestine. That belief, in hindsight, feels like wishful thinking at best, and outright delusion at worst.

Arabs Voting for Trump: A Costly Mistake

It’s no secret that Trump found unexpected support among Arab-American voters in 2020, with some seeing him as a disruptor of traditional American foreign policy. His criticism of endless wars in the Middle East and his hardline stance on Iran gave the impression that he might break with the U.S.’s unwavering support for Israel.

But what did those supporters get in return?

• The Embassy Move: Trump’s decision to relocate the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem was a direct insult to Palestinians and Arabs worldwide.
• The “Deal of the Century”: A one-sided agreement that ignored Palestinian rights and legitimized Israeli occupation.
• Normalization Without Justice: He prioritized Israeli-Arab normalization deals, sidelining Palestinian demands in the process.

Now, with his threats against Hamas, Trump has made it clear: His allegiance lies with Israel, and any hope otherwise was misplaced.

For Arabs who supported him, this should be a moment of reckoning.

How Trump’s Threats Impact the Region

Trump’s rhetoric isn’t just empty bluster—it carries real risks for the Arab world. If his threats escalate tensions, the consequences could be devastating:

• Increased Violence in Gaza: Further military action could result in even more civilian casualties and displacement, deepening the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
• Destabilizing the Region: Trump’s aggressive stance risks inflaming tensions across the Middle East, from Lebanon to Jordan, creating ripple effects that Arabs everywhere will feel.
• Pressure on Egypt: As the gateway to Gaza, Egypt will likely face increased pressure to mediate or take action, all while dealing with its own economic and political challenges.

For Arab nations, Trump’s return to power could mean more of the same: one-sided policies that prioritize Israeli interests while ignoring Arab voices.

What Did We Expect?

Trump’s track record is crystal clear. He’s no friend of Palestine, nor has he ever pretended to be. But some Arabs fell for his performative populism, believing that his disdain for the American political establishment might somehow extend to a more balanced stance on our region.

The reality is that Trump’s “America First” policies have always been at the expense of Arabs. He uses our struggles as bargaining chips, manipulating the region for his own gain while offering nothing in return.

A Call for Arab Unity

If there’s one lesson to take from Trump’s latest threats, it’s this: Arabs must stop looking to Western leaders for salvation.

Leaders like Trump will always prioritize their own interests, and those interests rarely align with ours.

As Arabs, we need to invest in our own political advocacy, both in the region and abroad. The solution will never come from a figure like Trump, who thrives on division and exploits our vulnerabilities.

For those who supported him, it’s time to reflect and learn. Trump isn’t just indifferent to Palestinian suffering—his policies actively exacerbate it. His threats against Gaza are a stark reminder that we need to stand together as a region, rather than relying on figures who have shown time and again that they are not allies.

This isn’t just about Palestine. It’s about the future of the entire Arab world, and whether we continue to fall into the trap of believing in saviors who only make our struggles worse.