With just six days remaining until U.S. voters head to the polls to choose a new president, Palestinians perceive little distinction between the two leading candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Residents in the occupied West Bank believe that the outcome of the November 5 elections will not alter Washington’s unwavering political and military support for Israel amid its ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has been dire, with over 43,100 casualties, primarily among women and children, and more than 101,500 injuries resulting from the Israeli military’s actions following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Mahmoud Nawajaa, coordinator of the Palestinian National Committee for the Boycott of Israel (BDS), expressed skepticism about any change coming from the new U.S. administration. “We expect nothing from the incoming administration or the election winner,” he told Anadolu on Wednesday. He pointed to U.S. backing as a crucial factor in the atrocities occurring in Gaza and other regions.
Nawajaa characterized Israel as the “spearhead of an imperial project” in the Middle East, asserting that the elections would not bring about any significant change. He emphasized that real progress depends on the ability of Palestinians and Arab nations to pressure colonial regimes to alter their stances.
Similarly, Jamal Juma, coordinator of the Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, stated, “We place no faith whatsoever in the U.S. elections.” He criticized both major American political parties for being essentially identical in their policies, arguing that Zionist interests heavily influence U.S. decisions.
Omar Assaf, a Palestinian activist, echoed this sentiment, claiming that the Palestinian people should not depend on the election results. “Anyone who does is delusional,” he remarked, highlighting the perceived bias of the U.S. towards Israeli aggression, regardless of which party is in power.
Palestinians like engineer Osama Abdel Karim and university student Obadah Muhaysen also voiced their disillusionment, asserting that they do not expect any positive outcomes from either candidate. They criticized U.S. administrations for their consistent support of Israel and described the current U.S. response to the conflict as revealing its “true face,” contradicting its claims of promoting ethics, democracy, and human rights.
