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As Donald Trump heads to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Israeli officials are scrambling to understand where they stand in Washington’s shifting priorities. The US president’s decision to bypass Israel on his Middle East trip — while negotiating prisoner releases and ceasefire deals without Israeli involvement — has sent shockwaves through Tel Aviv. With Trump abruptly halting US airstrikes against Houthi rebels and dropping Saudi-Israel normalization demands, many in Israel fear they are no longer America’s top ally in the region.
The recent US-brokered deal to free American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, negotiated directly with Hamas and excluding Israel, has particularly stung Netanyahu’s government. Israeli officials publicly downplayed the move, but behind closed doors, there is growing frustration. The agreement not only sidelined Israel but also signaled that Washington is willing to engage with Hamas — a group Israel considers a terrorist organization — without consulting its closest Middle Eastern partner. This has left many questioning whether US-Israel relations are entering uncharted, uncertain territory.
Adding to Israel’s unease is Trump’s sudden announcement to halt US military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis — just days after a Houthi missile struck Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. The decision, made without prior consultation with Israel, reinforced fears that Washington is no longer committed to shielding Israel from regional threats. Israeli media echoed this sentiment, with diplomatic correspondent Itamar Eichner declaring, “The message to the region was clear: Israel is no longer a top US priority.” If even Trump — long seen as Israel’s staunchest supporter — is shifting focus, what does that mean for Netanyahu’s security strategy?
Perhaps the most alarming development for Israel is the apparent collapse of US-backed Saudi normalization talks. Riyadh had insisted on Israeli concessions to Palestinians as a precondition — a non-starter for Netanyahu’s far-right coalition. Now, reports suggest the Biden administration is moving forward on a US-Saudi civil nuclear deal without requiring Saudi-Israel normalization, dealing a major blow to Israel’s diplomatic ambitions. For Netanyahu, who staked his legacy on expanding the Abraham Accords, this could be a fatal political setback.
Even within Israel, public trust in US-Israel relations is eroding. While citizens celebrate Alexander’s impending release, many suspect Netanyahu was sidelined in the negotiations. “There’s just no leadership now,” said Tel Aviv pensioner Jack Gottlieb, voicing a growing belief that Washington and Tel Aviv are no longer aligned. With Trump’s unpredictable moves and Biden’s earlier weapons pauses, Israelis are left wondering: Who in Washington still has their back?
As Trump lands in the Gulf, Israel faces an uncomfortable truth — its once unshakable US alliance may be weakening. Whether due to shifting US priorities, backchannel deals with adversaries, or a lack of coordination, the Netanyahu government must now navigate a Middle East where America’s commitment is no longer guaranteed. For a nation that has long relied on Washington’s unwavering support, that realization is nothing short of terrifying.
The recent US-brokered deal to free American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, negotiated directly with Hamas and excluding Israel, has particularly stung Netanyahu’s government. Israeli officials publicly downplayed the move, but behind closed doors, there is growing frustration. The agreement not only sidelined Israel but also signaled that Washington is willing to engage with Hamas — a group Israel considers a terrorist organization — without consulting its closest Middle Eastern partner. This has left many questioning whether US-Israel relations are entering uncharted, uncertain territory.
Adding to Israel’s unease is Trump’s sudden announcement to halt US military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis — just days after a Houthi missile struck Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. The decision, made without prior consultation with Israel, reinforced fears that Washington is no longer committed to shielding Israel from regional threats. Israeli media echoed this sentiment, with diplomatic correspondent Itamar Eichner declaring, “The message to the region was clear: Israel is no longer a top US priority.” If even Trump — long seen as Israel’s staunchest supporter — is shifting focus, what does that mean for Netanyahu’s security strategy?
Perhaps the most alarming development for Israel is the apparent collapse of US-backed Saudi normalization talks. Riyadh had insisted on Israeli concessions to Palestinians as a precondition — a non-starter for Netanyahu’s far-right coalition. Now, reports suggest the Biden administration is moving forward on a US-Saudi civil nuclear deal without requiring Saudi-Israel normalization, dealing a major blow to Israel’s diplomatic ambitions. For Netanyahu, who staked his legacy on expanding the Abraham Accords, this could be a fatal political setback.
Even within Israel, public trust in US-Israel relations is eroding. While citizens celebrate Alexander’s impending release, many suspect Netanyahu was sidelined in the negotiations. “There’s just no leadership now,” said Tel Aviv pensioner Jack Gottlieb, voicing a growing belief that Washington and Tel Aviv are no longer aligned. With Trump’s unpredictable moves and Biden’s earlier weapons pauses, Israelis are left wondering: Who in Washington still has their back?
As Trump lands in the Gulf, Israel faces an uncomfortable truth — its once unshakable US alliance may be weakening. Whether due to shifting US priorities, backchannel deals with adversaries, or a lack of coordination, the Netanyahu government must now navigate a Middle East where America’s commitment is no longer guaranteed. For a nation that has long relied on Washington’s unwavering support, that realization is nothing short of terrifying.
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