As of May 14, 2025, the conflict in Gaza has escalated significantly, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis. This is the exact same time when President Trump was making his first official tour of the Gulf. There had been speculations for an announcement for ending the war in Gaza, but the manner in which the three Gulf nations bent over backwards to host the US President and the pomp and show and pageantry of the lavish welcoming ceremonies put an end to them. The official guest list at official events included scores of businessmen and CEOs of American companies, many of whom are well known to be staunch supporters of Israel and the war in Gaza.
During the tour, the rulers of the three Gulf nations not only kept their mouths tightly shut, regarding the atrocities of Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, but seemed to be feverishly competing with one another as to who would put out the greatest spectacle for President Trump. They gleefully heaped up trillions of dollars worth of business agreements, contracts, and orders from US companies, oblivious of the role of the US in the ongoing war.
The cities Trump visited were adorned with US stars and stripes, along his every route, lighting up the skyscrapers and on the sails of floating yachts in the harbours. In Qatar, uniformed contingents mounted horses and camels paraded and performed sword dances as his motorcade moved along. In Abu Dhabi, as part of the welcoming party, young girls lined up with their long hair swaying in a traditional dance, symbolising utmost respect, as President Trump walked past them. The US President was given the highest civil awards in jewel-encrusted gold pendants. Qatar gave the gift of a $400M, palatial jet with gold fittings and fixtures, luxury bedrooms, and nine bathrooms. This, along with 1.4 trillion US Dollars worth of investment deals and orders for 210 Boeing Jets, described by Trump as “the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing.”
As the Emir of Qatar was hosting President Trump, the Palestinians were collecting the scattered remains of the bodies of their children
The UAE ruler took the deals to a trillion dollars higher than Qatar and went one up. The crown prince of KSA, Muhammad Bin Salman, although he made deals for merely $600 billion but was seen to be visibly emotional to see President Trump leave Riyadh as he stood waving and gesturing fondly to him on the tarmac until he disappeared inside his plane.
All three rulers spoke of their commitment to America and their deepest regard for Trump, who strutted like a peacock, shaking his fist from time to time, exhibiting his pleasure in the pageantry and admiring the gilded palaces, grand mosques, and lavish halls, built with the petrodollars. He was thanked and praised profusely and hailed as the greatest world leader who was bringing peace and prosperity to the world.
But as the jubilations continued, at the exact same time, Israel was pounding Gaza with some of the deadliest bombs. As the Emir of Qatar was hosting President Trump, the Palestinians were collecting the scattered remains of the bodies of their children. Over two hundred and fifty Palestinians were massacred in two days, most of them women and children. On 15th May alone, 143 Palestinians were reported killed, with an additional 100 deaths on 16th May. However, not a word was mentioned by the Emir of Qatar, hosting the dinner at Lusail Palace for the financiers of this bloodshed, nor did the festivities diminish for a minute. Israeli airstrikes targeted medical facilities, rendering Gaza’s only cancer hospital and the European Hospital in Khan Younis inoperable and taking the death toll to over 53000 Palestinians since October 2023. Not a word was uttered about the Israeli blockade, which had led to widespread starvation, with the WHO warning of famine conditions. No electricity, food, or water for the 1.9 million Palestinians living in hellish conditions; yet the celebrations went on in golden halls, and the orchestras effectively drowned the blasts of bombs dropping over Gaza.
The way Israeli attacks escalated immediately during the Gulf tour and the unperturbed reaction to it makes it look like a part of a greater plan, with the knowledge and agreement of the Gulf nations
During his tour, President Trump reiterated his initial plan for Gaza, at a business round table in Qatar, saying that very soon there would be ‘good news’ about Gaza as it would be taken over by USA for making aid distribution hubs, protected by Israeli troops, pushing Gazans out forcibly and converting it into a ‘freedom zone’; arguing that there was nothing left to save in the Palestinian territory. Trump gave this plan in February 2025, and there was widespread condemnation for it across the world, but this time, there was just the sound of silence from Qatar, UAE, and KSA.
The way Israeli attacks escalated immediately during the Gulf tour and the unperturbed reaction to it makes it look like a part of a greater plan, with the knowledge and agreement of the Gulf nations.
It is now only General Sisi in Egypt who is standing in the way of the execution of Trump’s plan for Gaza. Sisi refused to accept the forced displacement of Palestinians into Egypt, withstanding all pressure on him to capitulate.
Today, the Arab autocrats might look all puffed up and oblivious to the cries of the tormented Palestinians, but history is a mirror reflecting the rise and fall of tyrants. Not too long ago, in the middle of October 1971, Raza Shah Pahlavi of Iran hosted a monumental celebration, unparalleled in extravagance and opulence to date, to commemorate the 2,500 years of the founding of the Persian Empire. A grand tent city was constructed in the desert at Persepolis, designed by French decorator Maxime Old with accommodations fitted like royal palaces. French chefs from Maxim’s of Paris catered the event, where exotic dishes, including roasted peacocks, were served, and the expensive French wine flowed freely. A grand historical pageant featuring 1,724 actors in costumes representing different eras of Persian history was paraded in front of the guests, banquets and concerts held in Persepolis and Shiraz, and fireworks lit up the skies. Royalty from around the world were among the selected guests, including Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, King Hussein of Jordan, as well as heads of state and governments from many countries. According to conservative estimates, the ceremony cost $100M, which is equivalent to $700M today.
Raza Shah considered it a show of his power, but ironically, it proved to be the starting point of his ultimate demise. The lavish celebrations only fanned the flames of hatred and anger in the Iranian people, the majority of whom were facing severe economic hardship and poverty. Protests erupted and quickly turned into a countrywide movement calling for the end of repression and the complete abolition of the Pahlavi monarchy. The uprising gained momentum, thousands of protestors were killed in violent clashes with the Shah’s security forces, but this only intensified the movement. On 16th January 1979, Raza Shah hurriedly left Iran for Egypt, sick with cancer, under intense pressure and fearing the worst. Less than two weeks after his departure, Ayatullah Khomeini returned to Iran, and on 11th February, the Pahlavi monarchy was overthrown and the Islamic Republic of Iran was established. From Egypt, Raza Shah moved to several countries, including the USA, but could not stay anywhere for long. He finally returned to Egypt and died the following year. He was not allowed to be buried in Iran.
Raza Shah of Iran had enormous wealth, jewels, and palaces, and ruled one of the oldest countries in the world, but his hubris led to his demise. He also boasted of his alliance with America and yet his pompous monarchy was decimated within a few years by the power of the people's revolution.
The passive complicity or strategic ambivalence of the Gulf rulers, when it comes to Israel’s brutality, will eventually incur a cost much greater than the anticipated profits from their business deals with America. As the saying goes, ‘What has happened before will happen again’.