'No American president will bring us home': Displaced Lebanese reflect on US presidential election results

In the Ras Al Naba'a shelter in the heart of Beirut, hundreds of displaced Lebanese people continued their daily routines, seemingly indifferent to the US presidential election held on the other side of the world.

One of dozens of schools turned into shelters around the country to host over 170,000 people fleeing Israel's missiles from its war on Hezbollah, Ras Al Naba'a's residents were more occupied with securing their day's essentials. Some fetched food for their children while others returned for quick visits to the south to check on their homes, while former President Donald Trump secured a historic victory and returned to the White House, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.

Israel's invasion of Lebanon, among others, comes on top of the foreign policy issues that have led to Trump's victory, with Arab-Americans steering away from the Democratic candidate for the administration's handling of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has now expanded to Lebanon. 

Living in a room at Ras Al Naba'a shelter with her family of eight, Nour Dbouk said she did not care for the US elections. Flipping through social media reels as she waited for donors to bring in aid, the 30-year-old told The New Arab, "I have never cared about the American elections," she said. "I don't believe that any American president will help me return to my home."

Dbouk had fled with her family from the town of Hadatha in southern Lebanon as the war escalated. They first moved to the Chiyah area in the southern suburbs of Beirut, but when that area also came under Israeli shelling, they were forced to relocate again, this time to Ras al-Naba'a.

In his victory speech in Florida, Trump recognised the support of Arab-American and Muslim-American voters, emphasizing his commitment to "stop wars" in the Middle East.

In a more recent communication directed toward the Lebanese-American community, Trump utilized his platforms on Truth Social and X on October 30 to share his intentions. He vowed, "I will fix the problems caused by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden and stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon."

On 26 September, he referred to the ongoing conflict as "unacceptable," emphasising the urgent need for resolution by stating, "We have to end this, one way or another."

For Dbouk, Trump's words triggered more scepticism than hope.  "I don't think that American aid will contribute to rebuilding my devastated home in the south or bring back my family and friends who died in the bombing. While it's true that Trump claims he didn’t start any wars during his presidency, he also did nothing to lessen the aggression of Israel."

"Since he will take office early next year, I will be in the shelter for at least another three months. That is, if Trump secures a ceasefire," she said, indifferently.

Ending the war to 'save face'?

In her crammed home in Ras Al Naba'a, Hiba Jouni kept a close eye on the news as she attended to relatives she’s hosting after they fled Israel's bombing in Nabatieh. With 11 people—including her elderly parents and younger siblings—her house is filled with noise and chaos. However, the 43-year-old speaks confidently that soon, they’ll be returning to their hometown.

"The US policy of supporting Israel will remain unchanged regardless of who becomes president," she said. "However, both Israel and America will ultimately agree to end the war to save face, and Netanyahu will be able to present some sort of victory to his people, even if it falls short of his goals," she predicted.

While Biden and Netanyahu relations have soured over Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, Trump has been proud of maintaining a solid relationship with Netanyahu even while out of office. At a campaign rally in Georgia in late October, Trump insisted, "We have a very good relationship ... We're going to work with them very closely."

A few days before the election, Trump posted on Truth Social, "I will preserve the equal partnership among all Lebanese communities. Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity, and harmony with their neighbours, and that can only happen with peace and stability in the Middle East. I look forward to working with the Lebanese community living in the United States to ensure the safety and security of the great people of Lebanon."

Playing the hero

Nazih Khreizat, an 80-year-old farmer, never stepped foot out of his hometown of from Aitaroun. But since the bombings intensified in September, left to stay with his family in Khaldeh, where they're relying on donated food aid.

Asked about the US elections, Khreizat laughed.

"All US presidents are primarily supportive of Israel's interests. America is like a compassionate mother of Israel, and whoever comes [in the White House] must pamper it," he said.

Citing the scenes of Trump showing off in a wrestling ring during his campaign, Nazih suggested that Trump might end the war to play the hero, "but this won't benefit the Lebanese. Instead, it will give Netanyahu the freedom to act unrestrained."

Similarly, political researcher Joe Hamouri notes that while Trump is inclined to stop the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, his approach could ultimately allow Netanyahu to escalate military actions. 

He referred to Netanyahu's quick congratulations to Trump, which signalled his preference for the incoming administration. Hamouri expected Trump to provide the green light for swift action while ensuring US support for Israel's security continues.

"After Trump's election, it's expected the war may not last long, but it will get more violent first," opined Hamouri.

This piece is published in collaboration with Egab.