Trump Takes Gaza, Arab Rulers Take a Backseat – Only One Holds the Power

Donald Trump’s recent declaration that the United States would “take over” Gaza has once again laid bare two undeniable truths about the Arab rulers:

 

 

Saudi Arabia’s swift reaction—reiterating its longstanding position that normalisation with Israel will not occur without a Palestinian state—may sound strong on paper. However, history has shown that such statements rarely translate into tangible action. The reality is that Trump’s words, whether mere theatrics or a reflection of a concrete plan, underline a fundamental truth: the fate of Gaza and its people has never been in their own hands.

 

 

Trump’s remarks about transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling its Palestinian inhabitants elsewhere reflect a deep-seated colonial mindset. This is not a break from the norm; it is simply a more blunt articulation of a long-standing policy. Since 1948, the control of Palestinian land has been dictated by external forces—first by the British, then by Israel as a U.S. proxy. The notion that Gaza could simply be “taken over” by a foreign power without consequence exposes the irrelevance of Arab leadership in shaping events on the ground.

 

This also puts into perspective the so-called “two-state solution.” Many assume that Trump’s idea of U.S. control over Gaza contradicts this vision. In reality, both concepts share a common thread: Palestinian sovereignty is never truly on the table. Whether through outright U.S. control or through a heavily restricted Palestinian “state” under Israeli oversight, the result is the same—authority and sovereignty remain in the hands of colonial powers.

 

 

Saudi Arabia and other Arab states continue to pay lip service to the two-state solution as a prerequisite for normalisation with Israel. However, even if such a solution were to materialise, it would not bring genuine independence for the Palestinian people. Any so-called Palestinian state under this framework would remain heavily dependent on and subservient to Israel, which in turn operates as an extension of U.S. interests in the region. This arrangement would ensure that Palestinians have no real control over their borders, economy, or security.

 

Whether Trump’s statement is simply political theatrics, a creative way to pressure world leaders—especially Arab rulers—into making a stronger case for the two-state solution, or a concrete policy plan, one fact remains unchanged: it does not put authority in the hands of the Palestinian people. The conversation continues to revolve around who will control Gaza, rather than whether its people will ever have true self-determination.

 

Trump’s statement merely removes the illusion that diplomacy, peace talks, or normalisation deals will lead to Palestinian self-determination. Whether through direct U.S. administration or an Israeli-controlled Palestinian state, the outcome remains the same—Gaza, like the rest of Palestine, remains under colonial authority.

 

 

The Arab world’s reaction to Trump’s statement highlights the secondary role their rulers play in determining the fate of Palestine. Despite their wealth, political influence, and claims of solidarity, they have failed to prevent Israeli aggression, let alone influence U.S. policy. This is not a new development—decades of negotiations, peace initiatives, and normalisation efforts have only reinforced Israel’s position while weakening Palestinian resistance.

 

Trump’s words, whether dismissed as the ramblings of a political maverick or taken as a serious policy direction, change nothing for the people of Gaza. Their suffering continues, their land remains occupied, and their fate is dictated by foreign powers. The only real question is whether Arab leaders will continue their cycle of empty rhetoric or finally recognise their own irrelevance in shaping Palestine’s future.