Introduction
This week, it has become increasingly clear that the governments of Netanyahu and Trump are utterly alone in their ruthless and impunity-driven campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people in the global community.
Trump’s Visit to the UK: Focus on Gaza and Occupied Territories
During Trump’s visit to the UK last week, the only point of friction between him and Keir Starmer was the issue of Gaza and the occupied territories. Trump was greeted in London with pro-Palestine demonstrators and the largest concert yet to raise funds for this cause. Celebrities like Richard Gere, UN legal advocate Francesca Albanese, footballer Eric Cantona, along with numerous activists and organizations supporting Gaza, participated in a four-hour event while Trump dined in Windsor with King Charles III and Queen Camilla. That night, amidst musical performances at Wimbledon, representatives from the press (systematically killed by Israel), medical services (largely destroyed infrastructure), human rights and humanitarian organizations, such as Save the Children, Love for Gaza, Jewish for Peace, and many others, spoke out.
UN Reports and International Recognition
The topic won’t disappear for Trump, being central during the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. Last week, the UN released its third report on Gaza, finally acknowledging that Netanyahu and his far-right allies are guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. Additionally, the UK, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal recognized Palestine as a state. Trump and Netanyahu have had to face the positions of António Guterres, who stated that UN principles are “under threat as never before,” and the French-Saudi proposal for a ceasefire presented by Emmanuel Macron (applauded) and signed by 142 countries. This proposal outlines a concrete path towards the two-state solution.
However, this comes at a time when Netanyahu and his government are drunk on impunity, demolishing every stone in Gaza with a toll exceeding 80,000 deaths (half of them children and women), displacing 2 million people in the Gaza Strip, tripling the territory they’ve occupied in the West Bank with even more violence than usual, bombing five Middle Eastern countries, blocking humanitarian aid, and causing unprecedented famine. Both Netanyahu and his defense and finance ministers openly state that no agreements from Oslo in 1993 should be respected. Instead, Otzma, Israel’s far-right party and key coalition member, rejects any possibility of a Palestinian state.
Trump’s Meeting with Arab Leaders
The significance of Trump’s meeting with Arab leaders becomes even more critical given his statement in the UN Assembly that recognizing Palestine as a state is “too great a reward for Hamas terrorists.” Remember that in May, his first trip as president was to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to promote economic agreements.
European Pressure and Public Demands
This wave of pressure from European countries is a belated and timid response to the much greater demands from their societies. Marches in London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome, and many other European capitals have grown over the past two years in response to Netanyahu’s disproportionate and immoral reaction to the October 7, 2023 attacks. Hundreds of thousands of citizens take to the streets weekly worldwide. Artists, influencers, and activists have increasingly voiced their disapproval. Full stadiums waving Palestinian flags, boycotts of sports events and Eurovision, and the global Sumud flotilla are among constant actions against Netanyahu. European civil society demands equal standards between sanctions imposed on Putin’s government and those not taken against Netanyahu.
Recently, the European Union approved a “temporary suspension” of its free trade agreement with Israel, deemed insufficient by many who call for a comprehensive arms embargo. Moreover, there’s poetry and art advocating for peace and against the killing. Amidst these weeks, the Palestinian Art Biennial, “From Gaza to the World,” is being held in New York. In Wimbledon, musician and producer Brian Eno read a heart-wrenching poem by Khaled Juma about the children victimized by Israel’s attacks.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue causing tension between Trump and European leaders? The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the occupied territories, with Trump’s stance on recognizing Palestine as a state being a point of contention.
- How has the international community responded to Netanyahu’s actions? The UN released a report acknowledging genocide and crimes against humanity by Netanyahu and his allies. Several countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, France, and Portugal, have recognized Palestine as a state.
- What is the significance of Trump’s meeting with Arab leaders? This meeting becomes crucial given Trump’s statement in the UN Assembly about recognizing Palestine, which he views as rewarding terrorism.
- How have European societies reacted to Netanyahu’s actions? European capitals have seen growing protests, with artists, influencers, and activists voicing disapproval. There’s a demand for equal treatment of sanctions against Netanyahu compared to Putin.
