By Ammar Syabil Mohammad Azam
The pursuit of Palestinian statehood is inextricably linked to US foreign policy and American public opinion.
The US has been a major player in the Middle East for a long time, influencing the Arab-Israeli conflict and relationships between Arab countries.
Donald Trump’s win as US president might lead to changes in the West Bank, given his past positions. During his presidency in 2018, Trump’s Middle East peace plan leaned heavily towards Israel’s vision of a Jewish state, while neglecting Palestinian rights.
Trump’s policies recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and rejected the Palestinian right to return. His administration started the Abraham Accords, which improved relations between Israel and some Arab countries.
This political reality is deeply intertwined with American public opinion, which has also played a significant role in hindering Palestinian statehood.
Christian Zionist narratives, particularly those drawn from biblical promises of land to the Jewish people, are strongly rooted in parts of the US public.
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When paired with arguments against ‘antisemitism’, these religiously and ideologically driven perspectives restrict American support for Palestinian self-determination.
Infringement on Arab sovereignty
“A foreign physical presence could be a political liability in countries characterised by nationalist sensitivity. – Edward Said
Building on Said’s insight, foreign interference in the Middle East has historically been politically destabilising, especially when imposed by an outside superpower like the US.
US strategy in the region has often been shaped by a desire to maintain economic and political influence, particularly in securing access to oil.
This approach serves a dual purpose: it aligns with opposing China’s and Russia’s rising influence in the region.
The US has built an intricate network of alliances and economic dependencies with various Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait. This has allowed it to funnel military aid and arms sales to maintain these relationships.
However, such a dependency often weakens Arab nationalism, limiting regional support for Palestinian sovereignty.
Israel’s role as a US-backed military power adds another layer of complexity to the Middle East landscape. Perceived by some as a proxy superpower in the region, Israel receives billions of dollars in US aid to support its military dominance and nuclear deterrence capabilities.
By supporting Israel, the US asserts its influence while indirectly countering rivals like Russia, often at the expense of genuine peace efforts and Palestinian aspirations.
Moral hypocrisy and Christian Zionism
US support for Israel is often defended under the guise of countering ‘antisemitism’, which can unfairly stigmatise those advocating for Palestinian rights.
Many Americans who sympathise with other human rights causes, such as the Ukrainian resistance, seem unmoved by the decades-long Palestinian struggle under Israeli occupation.
This moral inconsistency stems from a strong Christian Zionist influence in the US. Evangelical beliefs regarding the Jewish people’s “biblical right” to Israel fuel unwavering support for Israel. Evangelical narratives such as the “chosen” status of the Jewish people resonate powerfully in American discourse. This thinking clouds broader discussions on human rights and self-determination for the Palestinians.
These deeply entrenched perspectives on Israel’s biblical entitlement are exploited to shift public sympathy away from Palestinian suffering. By framing Israel’s policies as self-defence, the US undermines Palestinian demands for basic rights, including fair citizenship, land and leadership autonomy.
This distortion of public opinion enables continued US support for Israel, often at the cost of US domestic welfare, as resources are diverted from healthcare and poverty alleviation to subsidise Israeli defence.
Light at the end of the tunnel?
While the path to Palestinian statehood remains challenging, there are historical precedents that suggest hope.
Consider how British colonialism in Ireland lasted centuries but eventually culminated in resistance and independence. History shows that oppressive systems can and do face eventual resistance, as humanity’s innate drive for dignity cannot be suppressed indefinitely.
Israel’s aggressive actions, particularly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have ignited dissatisfaction among some Israeli, who are now demanding an end to the military onslaught against the Palestinians.
Adding to these shifting dynamics, ongoing regional instability has strained US relations with the Gulf states that have normalised ties with Israel.
While Trump’s re-election could further entrench one-sided policies, alternative voices are emerging. Global actors like Malaysia, under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, offer alternative voices.
Malaysia has condemned US and Israeli policies while promoting de-dollarisation, which could reduce American influence over time. Through these efforts, Malaysia spearheads movements to limit US and Israeli hegemony, indirectly bolstering Palestinian efforts by fostering multi-polarity and encouraging alternatives to Western economic dependence.
Towards a realistic solution
The realisation of a fair two-state solution requires broader regional unity and strategic alignment among Arab nations, with Malaysia potentially playing an influential role.
Critical to this process if democratising US public opinion to counter pro-Israel narratives that stifle Palestinian advocacy. As challenging as the situation appears, sustained resistance, informed by historical, cultural and psychological understanding, remains essential to advancing a liberated Palestinian state.
Ammar Syabil Mohammad Azam has been active in the campus student movement Demokrat UKM. Through this, he has spoken out on human rights violations, student democracy and various social issues such as water shortages in Sabah, statelessness, Palestinian liberation and civil rights violations in Bangladesh.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
The plight of the Palestinians is indeed pitiable; however, those who live in glass houses should not learn to throw stones.