The chair of the former "Arab Americans for Trump," which underwent a name change after Donald Trump declared he wanted to clear the Gaza Strip of Palestinians as part of a U.S. takeover, was forced to scramble on Saturday morning on CNN.
Appearing with host Victor Blackwell, Bishara Bahbah grew aggravated when asked if he was lied to by Trump prior to the election only to be betrayed this past week during a press conference.
"The last time you were on, the name of your group was Arab Americans for Trump. You changed it this week after those announcements about Gaza. Do you no longer support the president?" Blackwell pressed his guest.
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'Well, Arab Americans for Trump was created to help President Trump win the election," Bahbah replied. "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. Now, when he started suggesting that relocating Gazans, which is against international law, against Palestinian interests, against the continuity of a Palestinian state between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, we could not come out with a statement under the title of Arab Americans for Trump. 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."
"So you say that the president told you in your response to saying that you're in this for a two-state solution 100%? Do you think the president lied to you?" Blackwell asked.
"You know, it remains to be seen," Bahbah deflected. "We're three weeks into this game, and a lot of things have been happening as you mentioned on your show and I believe that the president wants a legacy of peace. He wants to be known as a peacemaker, he wants to be known as the president who has been able to achieve that, something that no other U.S. president has been able to achieve, which is peace in the Middle East. there cannot be peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution, period."
"He apparently doesn't believe that because what we've heard from him this week is that he wants the Palestinians out, everybody can come back," Blackwell fired back.
"I mean, we'll play a little bit more from the president, but you say that will remain to be seen. What else do you need to see from the president? What he told you before the election is not what he's saying now. What additional variable are you waiting for to determine if he's committed or not to a two-state solution?" the CNN host persisted.
"Well, you know, we helped the president win the elections. Next year there will be elections for Congress and Republican's hold on Congress is very shaky right now," Bahbah offered. "So without our support, the Republicans will not be able to hold Congress. So we have the 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 of Gaza. Period."
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