A new report by African Narratives finds that US President Donald Trump’s highly individualistic and often controversial approach to foreign policy, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fueled domestic division and complicated the already fragile Middle East peace process.
The African Narratives think tank examined Trump’s approach to political decision-making, focusing on his administration’s foreign policy initiatives and their impact on domestic politics and public awareness. The report highlights Trump’s style, characterised by its personal influence and divergence from traditional norms, particularly in shaping policies related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“This study aims to shed light on the complex dimensions of U.S. policies toward the Palestinian issue, and how these policies can affect regional stability and international relations, as well as the direct effects on American society itself,” said Nashwa Abdelnaby, political researcher and author of the report.
The report argues that Trump represented an unconventional figure in American political history, distinguished by the extent to which his personality and individual preferences influenced policy. He often made decisions independently of the constraints and principles that guided previous US administrations. His direct and often provocative approach led him to depart from established political norms in handling both domestic and foreign affairs.
“From the outset of his electoral campaign through his presidency, Trump relied heavily on his distinctive personality, polarizing style, and decisions rooted in his personal analyses or consultations with a close circle of advisors,” Abdelnaby said.
The report also states that Trump frequently disregarded established political institutions and traditional sources of expertise, amplifying his influence beyond that of governmental institutions.
Unlike presidents who typically consult with Congress, military advisers and political experts, Trump’s individualised decision-making process, driven by his personality, led some observers to characterise his rule as approaching absolute power. Despite legal and constitutional limitations, Trump frequently challenged and weakened these constraints through his assertive approach to confronting opposition.
African Narratives also noted the crucial role of public opinion in Trump’s approach. He believed his popularity among a dedicated base gave him a mandate to make decisions independently, without necessarily responding to broader public demands or engaging with traditional political actors. The report stated that this sense of unwavering support bolstered his conviction that his decisions would be embraced by his followers, even if they contradicted prevailing opinions or long-held principles of democratic governance. This manifested in policies, both domestic – such as his immigration policies – and international, including his withdrawal from international agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal.
The report stated that this style of governance prompted criticism. Many argued that Trump’s insistence on a personal vision, often disregarding traditional expertise, represented a departure from established norms. His decisions were frequently perceived as targeted primarily at his core base, often overlooking dissenting voices from within his own party or other segments of American society, fueling division and polarisation within American society.
The report examines how the Trump administration attempted to “polish” rhetoric surrounding sensitive topics, such as the potential displacement of Palestinians, to mitigate negative reactions.
Trump’s proposed plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, often termed the “Deal of the Century,” included proposals for relocating Palestinians or making significant alterations to their geographical and social circumstances. These suggestions triggered international division, with numerous countries and human rights organisations viewing them as amounting to the forced displacement of Palestinians, a violation of international law. The report stated that consequently, Trump administration officials attempted to reshape these positions in response to international criticism, softening the tone and modifying certain aspects of the plan to garner broader acceptance.
According to the report, the administration introduced an approach described as a “Real Estate Development Policy,” inspired by Trump’s background. Some believe the administration attempted to apply this framework to international conflicts, including the Middle East issue, believing problems could be resolved through developmental projects and “real estate development” initiatives in conflict zones, such as the establishment of economic zones or investment projects as solutions to these crises.
Gaza Plan and Israeli Far-Right
The report highlights how certain far-right factions in Israel appeared to capitalise on Trump’s plan for managing the Gaza Strip to advance their agendas, viewing it as an opportunity to broaden their influence and implement their vision for the future of Palestinians in the region. This coincided with public statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that appeared to embrace ideas of settlement expansion and altering the existing reality in Gaza and other areas of the West Bank.
The report also finds that critics argued that the primary issue with the US plan was its perceived incompatibility with principles of international law and legitimate Palestinian rights. The plan faced significant opposition from the outset, as Palestinians viewed it as promoting their forced removal from their land, thereby contradicting their rights to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state. Egypt also took a firm stance against the plan, asserting that it ignored fundamental Palestinian rights and failed to fulfill the aspirations of the Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity. According to the report, Arab support for Egypt’s position was considerable, with many Arab countries expressing solidarity with Palestine and rejecting the proposed settlements as one-sided and dismissive of Palestinian rights.
The report stated that this disparity underscores the challenges facing the peace process in the Middle East, suggesting lasting solutions cannot be imposed without the consensus of the involved parties, particularly given the consistent Palestinian opposition to any plan that would lead to displacement or compromise Palestinian rights.
Domestic Political Fallout
According to the report, Trump’s plan generated significant controversy within the United States, impacting political parties, social groups and economic interests.
The report finds that the plan created a sharp political division, with some pro-Israel figures and groups supporting it, while members of the American left, including members of Congress and human rights advocates, sharply criticised it as a contradiction of human rights values and international norms.
The report also finds that the Palestinian and Arab-American communities expressed anger and frustration, perceiving it as a blatant disregard for Palestinian rights. It finds that major U.S. cities witnessed protests and solidarity events, and human rights movements launched campaigns on social media.
According to the report, the plan could lead to indirect economic consequences for certain American businesses, particularly those engaged in trade with Middle Eastern countries or reliant on economic partnerships with Arab nations. It may reduce trade cooperation opportunities between the US and key Arab partners and lead to economic sanctions or diminished engagement with US companies.
The report finds that Trump’s decision has escalated tensions between the US and Arab and Islamic countries, negatively affecting American support in other Middle Eastern issues and potentially leading to shifts in regional alliances. It could also impede efforts to achieve a fair and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, exacerbating regional instability.
The report also references the peace agreement with Egypt under Menachem Begin, calling for supporters of Benjamin Netanyahu and the broader right wing to reconsider before cooperating with a plan that could undermine that agreement. It argues that the cancellation of agreements with Egypt and Jordan could lead to the dissolution of the Abraham Accords, preventing the achievement of broader normalisation with Saudi Arabia.
US Government, Civil Society, and Public Reactions
The report details differing viewpoints within the US government, civil society and the general public regarding proposals potentially displacing Palestinians.
The report said that the Trump administration supported the plan as part of the “Deal of the Century,” while some members of Congress voiced objections regarding human rights implications.
According to the report, human rights movements and US civil society generally opposed the decision, viewing it as a violation of human rights and of Palestinians’ right to self-determination. It also finds that public opinion was deeply divided, with right-wing sectors supporting Trump’s policies and left-wing circles strongly opposing the plan.
The report finds that American Jewish communities displayed varied reactions, with some supporting Trump’s policy and others voicing concern that the plan could escalate regional violence and worsen relations between Israelis and Palestinians. More than 350 rabbis, along with Jewish creatives and activists, signed an advertisement in The New York Times condemning Trump’s proposal for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza.
“At African Narratives, we believe in the importance of understanding the impact of global political decisions on different societies. This study sheds light on the profound effects of the US administration’s policies on the Palestinian issue, and underscores the need for a more balanced and just approach in dealing with this sensitive issue,” said Eliane Boutros, Executive Director of African Narratives.
The report concludes that the controversial decision reflects profound implications, both internationally and domestically, causing sharp divisions within American society and impacting the image of the United States in the international arena.
African Narratives is a non-profit African policy research centre committed to reshaping the global understanding of Africa, while addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges.
