Trump’s Involvement in Gaza Ceasefire Sparks Arab American Outrage at Biden
Incoming US President Claims He Pressured Israel into Accepting Deal Set to Begin Sunday
Washington, DC – When Samraa Luqman cast her vote for Donald Trump in November, she did so believing that even a slim chance of him pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza made him a better option than the Democrats, who had failed to halt the war.
Now, as Trump prepares to take office on Monday, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is poised to take effect, bringing a temporary pause to hostilities that have claimed over 46,700 Palestinian lives in the past 15 months.
Despite this development, Luqman remains deeply frustrated—not at Trump, but at outgoing President Joe Biden for not securing a ceasefire sooner.
“I’m just even more angry because Trump, who is not even in office, applied some pressure, and the ceasefire agreement was finalized immediately,” Luqman said. “This could have happened months ago. So many lives were lost unnecessarily.”
She added that the delayed action reinforced Biden’s reputation among many Arab Americans, who have labeled him “Genocide Joe” due to his administration’s unwavering support for Israel.
Arab American Discontent with Biden Administration
After traditionally backing Democratic candidates, a significant portion of Arab American voters turned away from Biden and his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, in November’s election due to their stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The shift was particularly evident in Michigan, a key swing state. In Dearborn’s predominantly Arab neighborhoods, Harris secured less than 20 percent of the vote, with many residents choosing either Trump or Green Party candidate Jill Stein instead.
Despite claims by Harris that she and Biden had been working “tirelessly” to broker a ceasefire, the administration continued to supply arms to Israel and vetoed four United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire.
Trump’s Role in the Ceasefire Agreement
Amer Ghalib, the Yemeni American mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, was among those who endorsed Trump and appeared at his rallies. According to Ghalib, securing a ceasefire in Gaza was the top priority for Arab and Muslim supporters of the former president.
“He knew it was a fair and humane request,” Ghalib stated. “We supported him because he promised to fight Islamophobia, advocate for fair representation of Muslims in his administration, and protect faith and family values.”
Both Trump and Biden took credit for the ceasefire deal on Wednesday, with the incoming president asserting that the agreement would not have been possible had he not won the election.
While Trump’s precise role in diplomatic negotiations remains unclear, Israeli media reports suggest that he played a decisive part in persuading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the deal, which includes the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Trump had previously warned that “all hell will break out” if hostages were not released by his inauguration on January 20, a statement some interpreted as a threat to Hamas. However, the Palestinian group had indicated its willingness to accept the ceasefire terms proposed by Biden as early as May, only for Netanyahu’s government to reject the plan multiple times.
Concerns About the Ceasefire’s Viability
Despite the announcement, Arab American advocates remain skeptical about whether Israel will uphold the agreement, which is set to take effect on Sunday. Previous ceasefire deals, including a US-brokered truce in Lebanon, have failed to halt Israeli attacks entirely.
Since the deal’s announcement, Israeli airstrikes have continued, killing dozens in Gaza, including at least 21 children.
Suehaila Amen, a Michigan-based Arab American community advocate, emphasized that while the ceasefire is a hopeful step, trust in US and Israeli politicians remains low.
“People see this as further proof that Biden was never serious about stopping the war,” Amen said. “His administration continued to fund and enable what many see as a genocide.”
Walid Fidama, a lifelong Democrat who switched his vote to Trump in November, expressed cautious optimism. “We are happy he helped secure the ceasefire, and we hope it won’t be temporary,” he said. “We want displaced Palestinians to be able to return home.”
Future Uncertainty
Despite the ceasefire agreement, some Arab Americans remain doubtful that Trump will bring lasting peace to the region. His incoming administration is stacked with pro-Israel figures, including Senator Marco Rubio, his nominee for Secretary of State.
During his first term, Trump made several controversial moves favoring Israel, including relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Luqman acknowledges these concerns but remains focused on the immediate goal of halting the violence in Gaza. “I’m not going to support Marco Rubio,” she said. “But there weren’t many good options in this election, and at least something is finally happening.”