In a recent press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump announced his contentious plans to “take over the Gaza Strip,” a statement that has sparked deep concern among Arab American communities. Euronews connected with Arab American voters from diverse political backgrounds to gauge their reactions to this alarming declaration.
Back in November, shortly after Trump secured a second term, Faye Nemar and Albert Abbas, Lebanese American founders of the MENA American Chamber of Commerce (MENACOC), expressed optimism about the president’s commitment to peace during a notable meeting at Abbas’ restaurant in Michigan. At that time, Nemar remarked on Trump’s sincerity, stating, “We saw the sincerity in his platform. He was a very genuine individual, very committed to ensuring peace in the region.”
Growing concerns among Arab Americans
However, the mood has shifted dramatically in just a few months. During the recent press conference, alongside a smiling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump proposed the forcible displacement of Gaza’s 2 million residents, igniting fears of ethnic cleansing. In a letter to the president, Nemar referenced their previous meeting, urging him to reconsider his approach to peace, which she believes should be rooted in a commitment to a sovereign Palestinian state. She explicitly warned against conflating peace policies with actions that resemble ethnic cleansing.
“(Your) vision of peace requires a commitment to a sovereign Palestinian state and must not be confused with policies that are tantamount to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians—a notion alarmingly reflected in your recent statements,”
Dr. Burhan Ghanayem, a Palestinian American activist and co-founder of the Arab American Democratic Caucus in North Carolina, reflected a prevailing sentiment within the community, stating, “Our community is in disarray.”
Historical context and community impact
The reactions from Arab Americans come as no surprise to some observers, considering Trump’s history of inflammatory rhetoric and policies towards Muslims. Notably, during his 2016 campaign, Trump called for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” and later enacted an executive order restricting migration from several predominantly Muslim countries. His administration also recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and endorsed the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights.
These past actions have contributed to a growing apprehension among Arab Americans about Trump’s current rhetoric regarding Gaza. Nancy Okail, an Egyptian-American human rights activist, articulated this sentiment, suggesting that Trump views the region merely as a “giant real estate deal.” She pointed out the troubling implications of appointing business figures to key diplomatic roles, suggesting that such appointments could further legitimize Israeli annexation efforts.
Despite their initial support for Trump, even Nemar and Abbas are now voicing their concerns over some of his recent policies. Abbas highlighted an executive order that permits the deportation of students accused of being “Hamas sympathizers,” while Nemar criticized the lack of representation for Muslim and Arab Americans during Trump’s inauguration.
Reflecting on the disappointing performance of the Democratic Party among Arab American voters, Ghanayem emphasized, “the party failed. The party failed the constituents. The party lost.” Many voters felt compelled to support Trump due to frustrations with the Democrats, especially following a year of Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon backed by the Biden administration.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Arab American leaders are urging for change, yet express skepticism about the likelihood of significant shifts in party policies. Ghanayem rated the chances of meaningful change as low, stating, “If I wanted to put it from one to 10, I would say the chances are three, four.”
Nevertheless, leaders like Nemar and Abbas remain hopeful, stating that it is essential to allow the new administration time to engage with the community. They continue to recognize Trump’s role in facilitating fragile ceasefires in the region and are looking to establish local Republican outreach, despite their growing concerns.
Ultimately, as the Arab American community grapples with the political realities of the current administration, many find themselves feeling trapped within a limited political framework. Ghanayem encapsulated this sentiment by stating, “Yeah, this is the only game in town.”