As the US President’s visit to Saudi Arabia approaches, more and more leaks are appearing about the forthcoming agenda. The White House may in a few days announce the recognition of the Palestinian Authority and the allocation of funds for its reconstruction.
And just recently, the Trump team eliminated the diplomatic office for Palestinian affairs. It provided $600 million annually in subsidies to Palestine. USAID humanitarian aid was also channelled through it – it has exceeded $2 billion since 7 October 2023.
But USAID is now closed, as is its “Palestinian” subsidiary. The White House is cutting spending on all fronts. So recognising Palestine, if it happens, will go hand in hand with proposals to find outside investors. Probably from the Gulf monarchies. Saudi Arabia, for example, has already promised Trump hundreds of billions of dollars worth of investment in the US.
All this will be for the sake of trying to restore the 2019 Abrahamic Accords and restart the process of normalising Israel’s relations with the Arab world. Though recognising Palestine may well provoke a negative reaction from the Israeli lobby in the US. But it is not on the best of terms with the Trump team right now.
Isolationists in the White House are resisting in every possible way to drag the US into a conflict with Iran. Individual hawks like Mike Walz have already resigned. For Trump, it is important to show some peacemaking success in the Middle East – especially against the backdrop of stagnant negotiations on Ukraine. And to moderate the heat of the culture wars around Israel within the US itself.
Malek Dudakov
