Many in Ramallah argue things cannot get any worse but some say US result could add unpredictability to despair

Summary

Palestinians in the West Bank are largely pessimistic about Donald Trump’s re-election, viewing it as unlikely to significantly worsen their already dire situation, though some fear it could embolden Israeli actions.

Trump’s support for Israel’s far-right policies, including the potential dismantling of the UN agency Unrwa and backing of Israeli settlements, could deepen economic hardship and escalate violence against Palestinians.

While some Palestinians worry about increased oppression, others see a Trump presidency as a chance to expose brutal realities, possibly sparking stronger resistance.

    • Flying SquidMEnglish
      56•2 months ago

      WE ALL OPPOSED THE FUCKING GENOCIDE.

      That doesn’t mean we wanted to invite in ADDITIONAL GENOCIDES IN THE U.S.

      Jesus Christ, I am so tired of seeing people make excuses for not voting to stop someone who you have been given warning sign after warning sign about because you don’t like Kamala Harris.

      • Nougat
        27•2 months ago

        It also means that we didn’t want to make the one genocide they’re always on about even worse.

        • Flying SquidMEnglish
          30•2 months ago

          Seriously. “Harris is supporting genocide by being part of an administration selling weapons to Israel, so I’ll let the guy who told Netanyahu to finish the job on national TV win.” What the fuck?

          I actually had someone tell me a month or so back that genocide is as bad as it gets and you can’t make it worse once it’s genocide.

          These people will lie to themselves about anything rather than take some fucking responsibility.

          • Nougat
            20•2 months ago

            They also wholly disregard that:

            • “Weapons” is not a singular thing. There are defensive weapons, and offensive weapons. There is no method for undoing sales of defensive weapons. Congress says send 'em; they get sent.
            • Offensive weapons can be paused, if said weapons are likely to be used in inhuman ways. In fact, Biden did exactly that – after House Republicans passed a bill to prevent him from doing it. That bill never made the floor of the Democratically controlled Senate.
            • Congress is in charge of sending those weapons, not the president. If someone wants to “both sides” that one, I’m fine with that. But now that it’s looking like all three branches of government are going to be under fascist control, I’m not holding my breath about Congress changing their stance on any weapons sales to Israel, unless that change is MOAR WEPONZ.
          • @[email protected]English
            6•2 months ago

            I actually had someone tell me a month or so back that genocide is as bad as it gets and you can’t make it worse once it’s genocide

            This was a very common argument I saw. Unfortunately, I think there are people who bought it. It’s so ahistorical, and nobody seems to know anything about the conditions in Germany pre-WW2 (or probably most of the atrocities that the Nazis committed).

            There are levels to this shit, it’s not just an on/off switch.

        • Flying SquidMEnglish
          14•2 months ago

          Oh this is exactly what I expected. It doesn’t make me any less angry about it.

      • @[email protected]English
        10•2 months ago

        Yeah: you don’t like personally Harris? Too bad you’d rather have a fascist government

    • @[email protected]English
      13•2 months ago

      I can’t wait to hear your weeping when the Trump backed MIC starts shovelling weapons to Israel, awards Netanyahu with the Medal of Freedom, and vetos any Israeli conviction by the ICC.

      When both Gaza and the WB are completely annexed and Trump congratulates Netanyahu for a job well done while violently suppressing any US protests, I’m sure you’ll admit your refusing to vote for Harris was a great idea.

      I don’t think you truly appreciate the shit storm that is coming your way. Because of you and your compatriots refusal to vote Dem Trump “will be a dictator on day one”. 13-20 million ‘illegal’ immigrants are promised to be deported. It is now possible anyone protesting, or even daring to speak out on social media (they’ll even look here I’m sure) against Israel’s actions will be included in that number. If I were you I’d get my licks in while I could, but use a VPN while doing it if it isn’t too late already.

      It’s looking like the whole of US government is going to be majority Red through and through. That means any bill, including one for the formation of HUAC 2.0 gets rammed through. Oh well, at least you’ll have self-righteousness to console you going through whatever happens after January.

      • @[email protected]English
        14•2 months ago

        What will they say when kushner is building condos where Gaza was? Will that still be teaching Harris a lesson?

    • JaggedRobotPubesEnglish
      8•2 months ago

      Opposing the genocide meant voting for Harris to avoid this exact situation.

      There’s a smallish band of dipshits who care more about shouting about the genocide than stopping it. Not shouting about it (understandable and correct and good) and then stopping it. But actively not stopping it so they can shout.

      The only chance–and it was only a chance–to save the Palestinians, was to keep Captain Dipshit away from the steering wheel and bust Harris’ balls incessantly until she did maybe half the right thing.

      Because that option is better than what they’ve been doomed to now. But you don’t mind that. You have your purity, and that’s what your core value is.

      • Flying SquidMEnglish
        17•2 months ago

        Ah yes, four people I’ve never heard of that still actually use Twitter definitely proves them right.