Former President Donald Trump made controversial comments about President Joe Biden during a presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, labeling him a “very bad Palestinian” who is unwilling to support Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Trump’s remarks were met with criticism and confusion, as the term “Palestinian” refers to a distinct ethnic and national group, and is not typically used as a pejorative.
Many have denounced Trump’s comments as offensive and divisive, and some have called for him to clarify or apologize for his statements.
The debate highlighted the stark differences between the two candidates on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US foreign policy in the region.
‘Lack of vision’ to end war
The debate highlighted how both Democrats and Republicans have lost their will to end the war and to support the creation of a Palestinian state, said Tamer Qarmout, a professor at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies.
“The focus of the discussion was not on a Palestinian state per se – it was one supporting Israel and the best way to support Israel,” he told Al Jazeera.
“For both candidates, there’s a lack of real vision to end this conflict. It’s a very shallow discussion that does not have ending the conflict in the centre of it.”
Trump said Israel wanted the war to continue, and that it should. Asked whether he would support the establishment of a Palestinian state to secure peace in the region, Trump baulked. “I’d have to see.”
One candidate is “blatantly racist. Wants to deport all of us. And said that President Biden isn’t, essentially, being genocidal enough and that he should let Israel finish off its war on Gaza. And the current president has been consciously and willingly, politically and financially, backing an evident genocide in Gaza,” Ziyadeh told Al Jazeera.
“There is no lesser than two evils here,” she added. “The card we are being dealt with as voters and as Americans is frankly unfair.”
