President Donald Trump’s high-stakes tour of the Gulf has redrawn diplomatic lines across the Middle East, and Israel — long considered America’s closest regional ally — appears to be watching from the sidelines in growing silence and discomfort.
From skipping a stop in Tel Aviv to brokering deals with countries Israel accuses of aiding Hamas, Trump’s latest moves have raised eyebrows in Jerusalem and beyond.
The Israeli government, led by embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has maintained a tight-lipped stance even as regional dynamics shift at breakneck speed.
Israeli officials have yet to comment publicly on the Biden-skipping itinerary, but analysts say the message is clear: Trump is more interested in business deals and broader regional normalization than traditional Israeli security concerns.
Central to the growing unease in Jerusalem is Trump’s announcement to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria and his calls to normalize relations with Damascus—a government Israel has branded a “jihadist threat.”
The decision was followed by Trump’s ceasefire deal with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis, even as missiles fired from Yemen triggered sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Israel was further stunned when Trump confirmed direct U.S. negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of Edan Alexander, the last surviving American hostage in Gaza, without Israeli mediation.
“This is good for Israel,” Trump told reporters in Riyadh, “having a relationship like I have with these countries… essentially all of them.”
But Israeli media and security analysts have expressed growing alarm. Yoav Limor, writing in the pro-government Israel Hayom, noted: “The Middle East is being reshaped before our eyes… while Israel is, at best, just watching.”
Netanyahu’s Tightrope
Netanyahu, battling corruption charges and struggling to manage coalition hardliners who demand a full military defeat of Hamas, has only thanked Trump for Alexander’s release. With domestic frustration mounting over the 18-month Gaza war and Israel’s diplomatic isolation deepening, Netanyahu’s room to maneuver is shrinking.
Meanwhile, the U.S. appears to be shifting focus. Former intelligence officer Jonathan Panikoff, now at the Atlantic Council, summarized the rift:
“Trump is clearly moving forward with a transactional, investment-focused agenda. If traditional political or security matters with Israel don’t align, he’ll pursue his path anyway.”
Behind closed doors, Trump officials are said to be frustrated with Netanyahu’s refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza or soften his stance on Iran. The White House has also shown little support for any Israeli strike on Tehran’s nuclear sites, preferring a diplomatic approach.
Changing Alliances
This pivot could mark a historic inflection point in U.S.-Israel ties. For decades, Israel enjoyed preferential treatment from Washington. But Trump’s recent steps—from massive aircraft sales to Qatar, to warming relations with Syria and outreach to Hamas—signal a recalibration of priorities.
For now, Israel is watching from the shadows as Gulf capitals and Washington hammer out deals and shape new power centers in the region. Whether Netanyahu can catch up—or is left behind—is the question haunting both Jerusalem and Washington alike.
