The cost of ignoring history: Gaza, grievances and the threat of war

The Trump administration promised a bold new course in the Middle East, and now the United States stands at a perilous crossroads, echoing the policies and decrees that precipitated the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil and set in motion two decades of war and suffering. President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US will occupy Gaza while implying that Palestinians would be better off relocating to a safer, more comfortable place, reduces the significance of the land to a mere real estate transaction.

American policymakers risk repeating the same miscalculations and disregard for foreign grievances that have historically led to monumental tragedy. Man is not a piano key, and we must take Palestinians and Middle East leaders at their word: the people would rather die in place, defending the war-ravaged ruins of their land, than be relocated to a so-called safer area.

The local population have reiterated consistently that to them the land is the soul of their people, steeped in centuries of sacrifice, culture and blood. Any occupation of Gaza risks sparking the volatile tinderbox of the Middle East, reviving the very grievances outlined in Osama Bin Laden’s viral 2002 “Letter to America”, wherein he articulated his justification for violent jihad against the United States. In that incendiary missive, Bin Laden condemned America’s military presence in sacred Islamic lands — specifically denouncing the stationing of US troops in Saudi Arabia as a desecration of holy soil — and castigated US support for policies that enabled the systematic oppression of Palestinians.

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When American policymakers dismiss the ineffable connection that bind a people to their homeland, they sow the seeds of bitter, generational resentment, and ultimately violent backlash. The tragic events of 11 September, 2001 cost nearly 3,000 American lives and sparked two horrific wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This serves as a brutal reminder of the dangers of allowing grievances to fester unchecked.

Now, as US leaders toy with the idea of occupying Gaza, we risk repeating the mistakes of history, a repetition that could lead us down the same dark path. When American policymakers treat centuries-old land claims as mere obstacles to be swept aside, they risk validating the very grievances that fuelled acts of radical terror against their nation.

Land is not merely territory; it is a repository of history, identity and deep-rooted connections that cannot be ignored. To suggest that Palestinians can simply abandon their ancestral homeland for a contrived promise of safety is not only a gross oversimplification, but also risks provoking a backlash that could, in a cruel twist of fate, send our own sons and daughters — from neglected city streets and forgotten rustic communities — to fight and die in the unforgiving sands of Gaza.

By pursuing an occupation of Gaza, American policymakers risk repeating the same miscalculations and disregard for Middle Eastern grievances that once led to catastrophic acts of terrorism and tragedy. America was founded on ideals of freedom, self-determination and respect for human dignity, principles that demand a thoughtful, diplomatic approach to international conflicts. The lessons from Bin Laden’s letter — and the tragedy of 9/11 — serve as a sombre reminder: when existential grievances are ignored, they can ignite a fire that consumes both distant lands and our own shores.

At this crossroads, it is crucial for American leaders to reflect deeply on the path ahead.

The mistakes of the past must not be repeated by imposing solutions that overlook the realities on the ground in Gaza and undermine the values we hold dear.

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Instead, a policy focused on lasting peace must be pursued, one that emphasises a two-state solution, an end to settlement expansion and the establishment of secure borders for both Israel and Palestinian territories. Humanitarian aid must be prioritised, with efforts to rebuild Gaza and ensure access to basic resources for its people. For the sake of the nation’s future — and global stability — a course must be charted that prevents the sparks of today from igniting the flames of war tomorrow.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.