Egypt Daily News – According to a Gulf diplomatic source speaking to The Media Line, U.S. President Donald Trump intends to issue a formal declaration recognizing the State of Palestine during his upcoming Middle East visit, with the condition that the future state excludes Hamas.
The source described the potential announcement as a strategic shift that could redefine the balance of power in the region and possibly encourage more countries to join the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. The declaration is expected to be part of a broader economic package, including previously announced trade deals and large-scale investments, possibly featuring customs exemptions for Gulf states, reflecting the financial and geopolitical interests tied to the move.
However, skepticism remains. Former Gulf diplomat Ahmed Al-Ibrahim told the agency that the absence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, key players in the Palestinian file, suggests Trump’s agenda may be centered more on mega economic deals, akin to the 2017 U.S.-Gulf summit that resulted in over $400 billion in Saudi deals and more than $1 trillion in UAE investment announcements.
Trump’s tour is set to include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, amid a tense regional climate marked by the war in Gaza and Iran’s nuclear file. This will be Trump’s most significant foreign visit since returning to the White House in January 2025, reaffirming the Gulf’s role as a strategic partner and geopolitical powerhouse for Washington.
Notably, Trump also chose Riyadh for his first foreign visit during his initial presidency eight years ago, a trip remembered for the symbolic image of Trump, King Salman, and then-President El-Sisi placing their hands on a glowing orb.
Tensions with Netanyahu Complicate Backdrop
Trump’s planned move comes amid unprecedented tension between the U.S. and Israel. According to Israeli Army Radio, he has officially cut ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of manipulation, a sentiment that reportedly infuriates the U.S. president, who refuses to be seen as being exploited.
Efforts by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to reconnect with top U.S. Republicans have reportedly failed, reinforcing Washington’s negative perception. As Israel Hayom reports, Trump-Netanyahu relations have hit a historic low, with both sides exchanging accusations over unmet commitments.
The White House is said to be pressuring Netanyahu to show tangible support for Trump’s regional vision including, potentially, a Palestinian state, but the Israeli leader has refused, prompting Washington to marginalize him. There are even credible concerns in Tel Aviv that Trump may entirely skip visiting Israel during his regional tour.
Sources indicate that Dermer spent hours drafting positions suggesting Israel’s openness to a future Palestinian state to appease Trump, but ran into deep domestic political and public resistance.
While analysts see Trump’s possible recognition of a Palestinian state as largely symbolic, they emphasize its significant geopolitical implications, especially as it coincides with massive economic deals and growing nuclear cooperation in the region — such as Saudi Arabia’s plans to develop nuclear energy, and the UAE’s already-operational Barakah nuclear plant.
