Trump’s Israel policy in his second term signals unchecked support for Israeli expansion, further eroding Palestinian rights and intensifying regional conflict.

With Donald Trump back in office for a second term, the implications for Palestine and the broader Middle East are grim. If his first presidency was a four-year endorsement of Netanyahu’s expansionist policies, his second term is poised to be an outright acceleration of Israeli impunity.

Trump’s Unchecked Support for Israeli Expansion

During his first presidency, Trump’s foreign policy decisions openly favored Israel, solidifying its control over occupied Palestinian territories. By recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and endorsing illegal settlements in the West Bank, his administration signaled unwavering support for Israeli annexation. These moves weren’t just symbolic—they emboldened Israel to act without fear of repercussions. Now, with no re-election concerns, Trump’s second term removes any pretense of accountability, granting Israel an even broader mandate to escalate its actions.

Israel now has what amounts to a blank check for further expansion, military action, and the erosion of Palestinian rights. Trump’s approach to Israel has always been transactional, portraying himself as a “historic dealmaker” while ignoring the moral and humanitarian fallout. The burden of consequences, in his view, lies with Palestinians and neighboring Arab states—actors his administration has consistently sidelined.

Rubber-Stamping Israeli Military Operations

Under previous administrations, the U.S. was expected—at least in theory—to act as a check on Israeli aggression. However, Trump’s presidency demonstrated that his administration operates on a “power justifies itself” principle. His second term is unlikely to deviate from this pattern. Any military operation in Gaza, any bombing campaign, any blockade—it will all be rubber-stamped as long as Israel’s leadership maintains a digestible narrative for the media.

Moreover, Trump’s return could mark the complete dismantling of what remains of international support systems for Palestinians. His first term saw drastic cuts to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), depriving millions of refugees of essential services. With a second term, he appears ready to finish the job, stripping Palestinians of healthcare, education, and food assistance. The underlying strategy is clear: make life unbearable to the point where Palestinians have no choice but to either leave or accept subjugation under Israeli rule.

The Destruction of Palestinian Political Resistance

Beyond humanitarian aid, Trump’s policies extend to undermining the Palestinian Authority itself. Whether through direct funding cuts or tacit approval of Israeli crackdowns, his administration ensures that no organized political resistance remains.

The so-called peace agenda—best exemplified by the Abraham Accords—was never about addressing the root causes of Palestinian suffering. Instead, it was about securing diplomatic wins for Israel while cutting Palestinians out of the conversation entirely. Trump’s second term will likely double down on this strategy, further sidelining Palestinian concerns and reinforcing Israel’s regional dominance.

Trump’s Second Term: A New Era of U.S. Imperialism

While the Biden administration also provided military aid to Israel, it at least maintained diplomatic optics around the issue. Trump, in contrast, sees no need for such pretense. His foreign policy operates on a more brazen form of U.S. imperialism—one that views human rights violations as irrelevant, so long as military and economic deals continue to flow.

While Trump’s incompetence may create chaos in other geopolitical arenas, his approach to Israel remains horrifyingly consistent. Unlike in Ukraine and other conflict zones where his policies may weaken U.S. influence, his stance on Israel will only further entrench American-backed aggression. This means more unchecked military actions, more forced evictions, and a further deterioration of Palestinian self-determination.

The Consequences of Trump’s Second Term

For those who value justice, accountability, and basic human rights, Trump’s return is nothing short of a disaster. It signals an era where Israeli expansionism faces fewer obstacles, where Palestinian voices are ignored, and where U.S. complicity in oppression is more blatant than ever. This is not just another chapter in a long history of suffering—it’s an escalation. Trump will be on the sidelines, cheering, as Israel takes full advantage of his unconditional support.

What the ultimate blowback of this will be remains to be seen, but history suggests that increased repression breeds increased resistance. Whether the ramifications of Trump’s second term are as dark as anticipated or worse, one thing is certain: Palestinian suffering will intensify under his watch.