Pro-Palestinian Movement Faces Steeper Challenges as Trump Returns to Power
A pro-Palestinian protester demonstrates outside the Liberal Party of Canada holiday party in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, December 17, 2024. REUTERS/Patrick Doyle
As Donald Trump prepares to take the reins of the White House again, pro-Palestinian groups in the U.S. are bracing for what they predict will be an even more difficult fight to push their agenda. With Republicans gaining full control of Congress alongside the presidency, these groups find themselves facing diminished leverage and heightened risks to their advocacy.
A Movement at a Crossroads
The Palestinian rights movement has historically focused its efforts on persuading Democrats to soften unconditional U.S. support for Israel. But with Trump’s staunchly pro-Israel policies likely to intensify, the movement’s leaders fear that a Republican-controlled government could undermine their work in unprecedented ways.
“The Palestinian rights movement is very clear-eyed in understanding that this Trump administration will mean things get much worse for Palestinians,” said Beth Miller, political director for Jewish Voice for Peace Action.
Miller added that the administration may quickly move to curtail the movement’s freedom to operate, referencing legislative actions targeting organizations that challenge U.S. support for Israel.
Legislative Threats and Republican Pushback
Under Republican leadership, pro-Palestinian activism has already faced significant opposition. A GOP-led House panel has scrutinized Ivy League universities over campus protests, accusing them of fostering antisemitism. Additionally, recent legislation threatens the tax-exempt status of organizations deemed to support terrorism—a move activists fear could stifle their advocacy.
Sandra Tamari, executive director of the Adalah Justice Project, warned of the broader implications: “Palestine is, in many ways, the canary in the coal mine. What authoritarian forces want is to shut down dissent entirely.”
James Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, echoed these concerns, predicting a crackdown on demonstrations and speech under Trump. “We don’t know how far Trump will go in aligning with Netanyahu’s plans, but the signs are troubling,” Zogby said.
A Divisive Impact on Democrats
While pro-Palestinian groups have long criticized Democrats for their unwavering support of Israel, they also view the party as their best hope for change. Progressive lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders have amplified the movement’s message, but the broader Democratic establishment has often resisted calls for policy shifts.
The issue came to a head during Vice President Kamala Harris’s unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign. Pro-Palestinian activists withheld endorsements and launched protests over the Biden administration’s Gaza policies, a strategy some believe contributed to Harris’s loss in key battleground states like Michigan.
“I really regret that Harris and the Democrats didn’t listen to us,” said Layla Elabed, co-founder of the “Uncommitted” campaign, which urged voters to protest against Biden’s Gaza policies. “She might have won if she had turned the page on Biden’s approach.”
Looking Forward: New Tactics for Advocacy
With fewer allies in Washington, the movement plans to pivot to local initiatives, including boycotts, community organizing, and pressuring Democratic lawmakers to publicly oppose military aid to Israel. Miller stressed the need to expose the disconnect between Democratic leadership and its voter base: “The greatest pressure point exists within the Democratic Party because of the massive gap between what voters demand and what leadership delivers.”
The movement’s leaders are also preparing for intensified legislative challenges. They aim to block measures they view as attacks on constitutional rights and free speech while continuing their push for an end to unconditional U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.
A New Reality Under Trump
Trump’s alliance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pro-Israel megadonors like Miriam Adelson underscores the challenges ahead. During his 2024 campaign, Trump made inflammatory remarks targeting pro-Palestinian activists and Democratic lawmakers critical of Israel.
Despite these hurdles, activists like Tamari remain committed to the cause: “This fight has never been easy, but silencing dissent will not succeed. The Palestinian rights movement has faced obstacles before and will adapt to meet the challenges of this new era.”
No comments:
Post a Comment