Trump can still get the Nobel Prize – it’s up to him

Perhaps what is happening in the Middle East these days is indeed historic. Perhaps it is the beginning of a process that will lead to Israelis and Palestinians alike being able to live in peace and dignity. Maybe even, one day, in two states of our own – without murder, terror and war. If that were to happen, Donald Trump would have played a significant part in it, perhaps even the decisive one. And yes – that would scream for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Oslo Nobel Prize Committee has resisted honoring Trump prematurely – this is the right decision, for two reasons.

First: Trump has already announced peace in the Gaza war several times. A day before his inauguration in January, there was a deal. In February he mused that the US wanted to “take over” the Gaza Strip. Trump’s plans failed, again and again. This is a statement free of malice. Joe Biden also failed to bring peace to the region. To put it simply, this is very, very difficult, even for the president of a superpower.

Is things going better this time? There’s a lot to be said for that. The international pressure is enormous. But while the world was already celebrating peace on Thursday, the war in the Gaza Strip continued, with casualties. The ceasefire has now come into force, but it must hold. It remains to be seen whether this will result in a resilient peace or whether the war will flare up again in a short time.

Second: Trump may present himself as a peace broker internationally, but at home he is pushing for a war against the “enemy within,” as he recently put it during an appearance. Trump is sending the National Guard to democratically governed cities, militarily equipped and heavily armed. He and his people are already talking about an “uprising.” And what do you do with those who dare to do something like that? Sure, knock it down.

It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The military is sent in even though there is no uprising. Rather, the presence of the National Guard is intended to force the insurrection that Trump claims to be fighting. At the same time, Trump is indicting unpleasant opponents, including former FBI chief James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. There is a threat of mock protests with which Trump has one main goal: to intimidate his opponents so that they stop making a fuss.

Such behavior must not be legitimized with the Nobel Peace Prize. This year, the Oslo Nobel Prize Committee honored the Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado. A woman who organizes the opposition in her home country and is excluded from elections. “Democracy is a prerequisite for lasting peace,” said a spokesman for the Nobel Prize Committee. This applies to Venezuela as well as to the USA. These words from Oslo are a warning, also to Trump. They are an explanation why he couldn’t get this award, at least this year.

Some hoped that the Nobel Peace Prize could appease Trump. Drag him to the Western team. End trade wars, support Ukraine. This is all true and a noble thought. But who says that a Trump can be harnessed to the ideas of the West? If he had the prize, he might as well give a damn about the wishes of others.

If the US President really wants to have a chance at the Nobel Peace Prize, he must renounce his autocratic ideas at home and abroad. He has it in his own hands.