Mahmoud Abbas on Donald Trump

Mahmoud Abbas's position regarding Donald Trump appears to be one of pragmatic, albeit cautious, engagement, particularly in anticipation of a second Trump administration. During Trump's first term, his policies—such as stopping funding to UNRWA, closing the PLO office in Washington, and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem—were viewed negatively by the Palestinians, leading to Abbas outright rejecting the "deal of the century" peace proposal. However, following the recent U.S. election outcome, Abbas and his Fatah movement extended congratulations, emphasizing a commitment to peace and expressing hope that the U.S. under Trump would support Palestinian aspirations, signaling a shift away from the previous boycott posture.

This current willingness to engage stems partly from the belief that time is working against the Palestinian leadership and a desire to leave a legacy of diplomatic success, especially given disappointments with the preceding administration. Abbas appears ready to renew negotiations, perhaps using the initial peace plan as a starting point, hoping Trump will compel Israel to make concessions to advance a broader regional arrangement, particularly involving Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, there remains an awareness that Palestinian interests are not the incoming administration's primary focus, and failure to secure progress could push the Palestinian leader toward international political resistance measures.