A leading figure in the Arab-American community who campaigned for Donald Trump scrambled to justify his continued support during an appearance on CNN after the president proposed relocating the population of the Gaza Strip earlier this week.
Trump suggested during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that the occupied Palestinian territory be transferred to U.S. control after the present conflict ends, and that the population be resettled elsewhere while the land is redeveloped.
The president has previously said that war-torn Gaza—currently in the midst of one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century—could be a Mediterranean “riviera” and “better than Monaco” if rebuilt in the right way.
Dr. Bishara Bahbah, leader of the Arab Americans for Trump group, which has since been renamed Arab Americans for Peace, appeared on Saturday’s broadcast of CNN’s First of All With Victor Blackwell to discuss the issue.
As Blackwell put it to Bahbah, “The last time you were on, the name of your group was Arab Americans for Trump. You changed it this week after those comments about Gaza. Do you no longer support the president?”
Bahbah shot back: “Well, Arab Americans for Trump was created to help President Trump win the election. We wanted an end to the war in Gaza, primarily, and the president also promised us a lasting peace in the Middle East that is satisfactory to all parties. Based on those two promises, we lent the president our vote.”
He then confirmed that the change in name had indeed been made because the organization felt it could not condemn the president’s plans while also using that title.
Bahbah said, “First of all, we’re not a cult. Secondly, we want peace. We started supporting the president because we wanted peace, and as a result, we changed the name.”
Blackwell then asked Bahbah if he or other members of the organization felt the president had lied to them, further pressing on what evidence the group would need to trust Trump is committed to a two-state solution to the conflict.
Bahbah said, “We helped the president win the elections. Next year, there will be elections for Congress, and Republicans’ hold on Congress is very shaky right now. So, without our support, Republicans will not be able to hold Congress.”
He added, “We have leverage over the political system with our votes to make sure that the president’s agenda continues on. But we will not accept the relocation of Palestinians outside Gaza. Period.”
