Thomas Friedman: Arab leaders should not submit to Trump’s dictates.
According to Al Jazeera, renowned American journalist Thomas Friedman addressed Arab leaders in a television program on Al Jazeera ahead of an extraordinary Arab summit to be held in Cairo today to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories, urging them not to surrender to US President Donald Trump’s policies without receiving concessions.
He noted that the next stage requires intelligent diplomacy, which is more felt in light of the conflicting interests between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Friedman, pointing out that this conflict in their interests may lead to confrontation in the future, emphasized that Netanyahu is under severe pressure from the extreme right and the families of Israeli prisoners inside the occupied territories, and even despite the release of several prisoners, this pressure has not diminished, which is why Netanyahu is looking for options that will guarantee his survival in power.
He called the relations between Trump and Netanyahu based on strong convergence while at the same time clarifying that the interests between them are not entirely proportional. Trump seeks to normalize Saudi-Israeli relations, but Netanyahu insists only on maintaining his sovereignty.
The international affairs expert clarified that Trump is trying to give Tel Aviv every necessary concession to strengthen Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands, but at the same time emphasizes that America’s interests lie in implementing the two-state solution and creating a zone to prevent Chinese influence, which contradicts Netanyahu’s policies.
He called the Trump cabinet lacking a clear strategy and emphasized that America’s strategy is changing depending on the president’s mood. He adds that he does not have a clear view of the US government’s behavior and everything depends on how Trump wakes up!
This international affairs expert, pointing out that the America that everyone knew has come to an end, emphasized that the next four years will be very different from the ones before. While the country used to respect international agreements, today, it even demands ransom from its allies, as happened in Ukraine.
While warning about the future of American sovereignty, he said that those around Trump are not the ones who prevent him from making bold decisions but rather magnify his ideas. Trump’s advisers even encouraged him to implement his unrealistic plans, including the forced displacement of Palestinians and the transformation of Gaza into an investment zone.
Pointing out that the rule of law guarantees the prosperity of states, Friedman continued that America is likely to lose this stability due to the attack on its institutions.
Addressing Arab leaders, he said: “Don’t let Trump impose everything on you without making concessions. Have a plan of your own and ask him for clear and specific demands, and if he wants to take concessions from you, he must make concessions in return.”