Trump’s Influence in Gaza Ceasefire Stokes Arab American Frustration with Biden
Incoming U.S. President Claims He Pushed Israel to Accept the Deal Set to Take Effect on Sunday
Washington, DC – When Samraa Luqman voted for Donald Trump last November, she believed that even a small chance of him supporting a ceasefire in Gaza made him a better option than Democrats, who had failed to halt the war.
Now, as Trump prepares to return to the White House on Monday, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been brokered, pausing a devastating conflict that has claimed more than 46,700 Palestinian lives over the past 15 months.
But rather than feeling vindicated, Luqman says she is furious—not at Trump, but at outgoing President Joe Biden, who she believes could have secured a ceasefire months ago.
“I’m even more angry because Trump, who isn’t even in office yet, applied some pressure, and suddenly the ceasefire agreement was finalized,” Luqman told Al Jazeera. “This could have happened so much sooner. So many lives were lost needlessly.”
She added that the way the agreement came together cemented Biden’s reputation as ‘Genocide Joe’, a phrase used by critics linking him to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Arab American Voters Turn Away from Biden
Arab American voters, who have historically leaned toward Democrats, abandoned Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, citing their unwavering support for Israel.
The shift was especially pronounced in the battleground state of Michigan, home to a large Arab American community. In Dearborn, a heavily Arab suburb of Detroit, Harris received less than 20% of the vote, with many voters instead choosing Trump or Green Party candidate Jill Stein.
While Harris and Biden claimed they worked tirelessly for a ceasefire, their administration continued sending weapons to Israel and vetoed four United Nations resolutions calling for an end to the conflict.
Trump’s Role in Securing the Ceasefire
Amer Ghalib, the Yemeni American mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, was among those who endorsed Trump, even appearing at his rallies. He emphasized that securing a ceasefire was the top demand from Trump’s Arab and Muslim supporters.
“He understood that it was a fair and humane request,” Ghalib said.
Both Trump and Biden have taken credit for the ceasefire, but Trump has argued that the deal only happened because he won the election.
While details of Trump’s exact role remain unclear, Israeli media reports suggest that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, played a pivotal role in pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the agreement.
Trump himself shared a Times of Israel article quoting an Arab official who said:
“Trump’s envoy swayed Netanyahu more in one meeting than Biden did all year.”
Even Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani specifically thanked Witkoff when announcing the deal.
Biden’s Failure to Secure Peace
For months, Biden’s administration blamed Hamas for delays in securing a ceasefire, but critics say the real holdout was Netanyahu. While Hamas had signaled willingness to accept a deal as early as May, Israel’s leadership repeatedly vowed to continue the war.
Hala Rharrit, a former U.S. diplomat who resigned over Biden’s handling of the war, called the delay “a matter of political will.”
“If Biden had won reelection, we’d still be hearing the same rhetoric: ‘We’re working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire,’” Rharrit said. “The only reason this happened now is because Trump is taking office.”
Will the Ceasefire Hold?
Despite celebrations in Gaza, many Arab American activists remain skeptical. The ceasefire is not set to take effect until Sunday, and there are concerns that Israel may not honor the deal.
In recent days, Israel has continued airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 21 children, even after the ceasefire agreement was announced. Additionally, a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon has failed to stop daily Israeli attacks on Hezbollah.
Suehaila Amen, an Arab American advocate in Michigan, expressed hope that the ceasefire will hold but remains cautious.
“It’s hard to trust U.S. and Israeli politicians,” she said. “But what’s clear is that Biden could have ended this war months ago—but chose not to.”
What Trump’s Presidency Means for Gaza
While some Arab Americans see Trump’s role in the ceasefire as a positive sign, others are doubtful about his long-term commitment to Palestinian rights.
Trump’s incoming cabinet includes staunchly pro-Israel figures, such as Senator Marco Rubio, his nominee for Secretary of State. During his first term, Trump moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and took actions that strengthened Netanyahu’s government.
For voters like Luqman, backing Trump was never about embracing Republican policies—it was about stopping the bloodshed in Gaza.
“I don’t trust Marco Rubio, and I know Trump won’t suddenly be pro-Palestinian,” she said. “But my priority was saving lives. And Biden refused to do that.”
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