Is peace possible in Gaza? Does Donald Trump threaten democracy in the United States? Rym Momtaz’s “8h30 franceinfo”

Rym Momtaz, geopolitologist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies was the guest of “8h30 franceinfo” Sunday June 2, 2024.

Rym Momtaz, geopolitologist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies was the guest of “8h30 franceinfo” Sunday June 2, 2024. Is peace possible in Gaza? Does Donald Trump threaten democracy in the United States? She answered questions from Jean-Rémi Baudot and Jean-Jérôme Bertolus.

Is peace possible in Gaza? “You always have to believe in it”

Israel and Hamas are called upon to “finalize” a ceasefire agreement based on the plan announced by President Joe Biden, in the 8th month of their war in the Gaza Strip. “You must always believe […] but we’re having a little trouble seeing how we’re going to get there.” notes Rym Momtaz. While Israel continues its bombings, Benjamin Netanyahu must “a difficult choice”. Two far-right ministers are threatening to resign in the event of a ceasefire. It must be understood that “there are several chapels” in Israel which compete with each other, notably the Mossad and the war cabinet, explains the geopolitologist. On the Palestinian side, Hamas, according to her, has an interest in a ceasefire “to try to reconstitute itself, to reorganize itself”. He is “weakened”.

The United States weakened by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Joe Biden presented the road map drawn up by the United States. However, the American president had made Raffah a red line which was crossed. Despite the significant leverage of the weapons it supplies to Israel, “the American administration is having great difficulty in shaping Israel’s conduct of the war”, observes Rym Momtaz. “There is clearly a question that arises about the standing of the United States in the world, about its ability to influence important issues. Yes, they come out weakened.”

What about the “day after” for Israel and the Palestinians?

In Israel, the vision of the “day after” pfor the far-right coalition, “consists of reoccupying the Gaza Strip, rebuilding settlements. This is not the vision of everyone in the war cabinet”, assures geopolitical scientist Rym Momtaz. On the Palestinian side, the two-state solution is also divisive. “From December to March, there was a doubling of support among Gazans for a two-state solution. While in the West Bank, only 30% believe in and support a two-state solution.”

Does France have a role to play for peace in Gaza?

“France has a role to play rather with the Arabsestimates Rima Momtaz. It still has leverage with Egypt, good relations with Qatar. But with Israel, it has few levers”, which is hardly surprising, according to the political scientist, given that‘”Israel does not listen to the advice of the United States on which they depend.”

Donald Trump speaks of “conspiracy against him” after his conviction. Is he a threat to democracy?

“It’s very problematic for democracy in the United States because part of the population believes it. We’re talking about 30-35% of the population”reports Rym Momtaz. “Institutions are being blamed [..] We dare to hope that there are still safeguards to avoid falling into totalitarianism.” says the geopolitical scientist who has long been a journalist in the United States. But she fears for civil peace. “In the United States, politics always has a higher level of violence than in Europe. Many people have weapons. So, we are not safe from a slippage or fairly strong riots” .

Watch the full interview with Rym Momtaz: