The “Arab Spring” resulted in profound damage to the Palestinian position. In the first place, in a Middle East region with dozens of failed countries unable to confront popular protests and demands for democracy, these regimes had to undergo terrible internal pressures, putting aside the Palestinian agenda. Let’s think about the case of Muammar Khadaffi... was his last intention surviving or supporting the Palestinian cause? The harsh threat of ISIS also hurt the Palestinian cause. Suddenly, Jihadism became a central topic in the world news, and in the concerns of the citizens. Although in Europe Palestinian terrorism resulted in sorrowful impunity, the multiplication of attacks in Paris, London and Barcelona awakened the interest to learn about the country fighting against radical Islam for years: Israel. It was easier for Israel to explain that Hamas and Al-Qaeda or ISIS were after the same objectives, especially when European terrorist were copying the modus operandi invented by the Palestinians (cars launched against civilians, or sudden stabbings). The spring (actually, the Islamic winter), allowed the expansion of the Shiite colonialism, awakening sudden fears among the Sunni. There are not many possibilities that a country like Saudi Arabia would sacrifice Palestinians to sign a separate peace agreement with Israel, unless it needs the Israeli army to maintain the regime, as happened to Jordan in the mid-70s. However, collaboration in topics such as intelligence, for example, has increased the “sympathy” of Sunnis such as Emirates, Egypt or Oman with the Jewish state. This approach reduces the belligerent rhetoric that favors the Palestinian cause.
Obama, in his eight years, was not able to reach a solution in line with the Palestinian desires and was replaced by Donald Trump, who has undermined them severely since taking office.