With the inauguration of Trump’s second administration and Netanyahu’s continued aggressive stance against Palestine, their far-right alliance has become an existential threat to Palestinians and regional stability. The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has undergone major transformations—from Assad’s downfall in Syria to Hezbollah’s weakening in Lebanon, ultimately pushing Hamas to govern over ruins that, according to the U.S. and Israel, constitute not a state but a “special economic zone.” Trump and Netanyahu have not only pursued policies aimed at dismantling Palestinian rights and resistance but have also used intimidation tactics to pressure Arab states into normalizing ties with Israel under the pretense of an Iranian threat. This dual strategy seeks to normalize genocide and legitimize ethnic cleansing in Palestine.
The term “normalization of genocide” may seem extreme, but when examined through the lens of the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide, Israel’s actions raise serious concerns. The convention defines genocide as “any act committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.” Israel’s policies—ranging from home demolitions and land confiscations to restrictions on access to water, electricity, and education, as well as the mass killing of civilians in Gaza (as seen in the post-October 7 war, which claimed nearly 49,000 Palestinian lives)—all point to a systematic effort to erase Palestinian identity and enforce mass displacement. The diplomatic normalization of these actions through Arab-Israeli agreements signals to Tel Aviv that it can continue violating human rights and committing acts of forced displacement, or even genocide, without facing international repercussions.
One of the key outcomes of the Trump-Netanyahu alliance has been the legitimization of Israel’s genocidal policies under the guise of “normalization.” This extreme coalition seeks to eliminate Palestine from regional equations and forge an Arab-Israeli bloc against Iran. However, these agreements are not genuine diplomatic accords; rather, they are imposed arrangements, forced upon Arab allies through U.S. pressure. Any opposition to this process is met with economic and political sanctions, as seen in Jordan and Egypt’s efforts to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians. Despite King Abdullah of Jordan’s urgent visit to Washington and an emergency Arab League summit in March, these efforts failed to halt the Israeli-American deportation plan. The U.S. has even threatened to cut financial aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to comply with Palestinian expulsion.
The Trump-Netanyahu security doctrine is built on coercive diplomacy—creating tangible threats, applying gradual pressure, and escalating the cost of resistance to the point where targeted countries have no choice but to submit. Under this doctrine, Palestine has become a test case for the Arab world: Either Arab states align with the Israeli-American plan, or they risk economic isolation, sanctions, or even political destabilization and U.S.-backed coups.
The Arab world stands at a critical crossroads. If Arab nations fail to resist Israel and the U.S.’s policies of forced displacement and diplomatic blackmail, Palestinian rights will be further eroded, and regional stability will be jeopardized. Just as Washington has relegated Europe to a geopolitical subordinate, Arab states—whose vulnerabilities are even greater—could face even harsher consequences. They must recognize that resisting displacement and diplomatic coercion is not just about Palestine but about preserving their own sovereignty and preventing the Israeli-American crisis from engulfing their nations.
In these dire circumstances, what the Arab world needs is not to fall into the trap of a so-called “Arab NATO” and military dependence on the U.S.—which, like its other allies, could abandon them overnight—but rather an intra-regional peace strategy that prioritizes diplomatic independence and resists Washington and Tel Aviv’s extortion tactics. A firm rejection of forced displacement and diplomatic blackmail is now an unavoidable necessity—not only for preserving Arab independence but also for preventing the region’s further collapse. Coordinated diplomatic action, leveraging international institutions like the United Nations, is the only viable path forward.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that dependence on U.S. military and diplomatic support does not guarantee security for Washington’s regional allies. From Afghanistan to the Syrian Kurds, and even certain Gulf states, the U.S. has abandoned its partners at critical moments. If Arab states seek long-term security, they must avoid this strategic mistake and adopt an independent regional policy instead. Establishing an Arab diplomatic coalition centered on defending Palestinian rights and resisting displacement policies will not only prevent similar future catastrophes but will also empower the region to break free from U.S.-Israeli coercion and avoid being drawn into destructive proxy wars.
