President Donald Trump is gearing up for a significant round of negotiations during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which kicks off next week. However, it seems there’s a noticeable rift developing between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Topics on the agenda include reviving discussions about hostages between Israel and Hamas, looking into ways to de-escalate the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and possibly striking private nuclear deals with Saudi Arabia—all while the kingdom stops short of normalizing its relations with Israel.
Interestingly, the apparent chill in relations between Trump and Netanyahu has caught the attention of observers in the Middle East. Israeli Army Radio’s Yanil Kozin reported this week that Trump has “cut off contact” with Israeli leaders, a claim that hasn’t been independently verified, but it does suggest that their previously strong alliance may be weakening in the eyes of political insiders in Israel.
The fourth round of U.S.-Iran discussions is expected to wrap up as Trump embarks on this notable tour through the Middle East.
Scott Feltman, executive vice president of One Israel Fund, commented, “There’s always a way to understand the president’s, let’s say, unconventional approach. I think he genuinely hopes that Israel can stand on its own. It feels somewhat like tough love.”
Reports suggest that Trump is willing to move forward with a private nuclear deal with Riyadh, despite Saudi Arabia’s hesitations about formalizing relations with Israel. This situation has made some in Israel uneasy, as Riyadh has consistently advocated for a Palestinian state as a condition for full diplomatic ties, a position that Netanyahu has declined.
Meanwhile, Trump seems to be considering a possible agreement with Qatari officials regarding providing a jet to the U.S. to replace its Air Force. This has raised eyebrows among Israeli supporters, many of whom are skeptical about Qatar’s ties with Hamas.
Adding to the tension, Jerusalem has expressed dissatisfaction over a recent ceasefire deal reached by the U.S. with Yemeni Houthi forces, which was negotiated without Israeli input. While the agreement calls for an end to Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea, it does not address their threats against Israel.
Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence director, remarked that the U.S. seems to have sidelined Israel in these discussions, stating, “It feels like Israel has been thrown under the bus.” He added that both the government and public perceive this as confusing and somewhat embarrassing, particularly concerning the Houthi situation.
Netanyahu has indicated clearly that Israel cannot rely solely on the U.S. to handle the threat from the Houthis, emphasizing, “Israel will defend itself with its own army.”
Despite the heated rhetoric, the United States continues to back Israel’s defenses. A U.S. missile system intercepted a rocket launched at Israel by Houthi forces just recently.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee expressed frustration over media reports suggesting tension between Trump and Netanyahu, saying, “It’s reckless and irresponsible to claim they aren’t getting along.” He noted that Netanyahu has spent significant time with Trump and reaffirmed that the U.S.-Israel relationship remains strong.
Huckabee stated, “Israel has never had better friends than President Trump. We will stay committed to ensuring that the remaining hostages in Gaza are freed and preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.”
Other analysts caution against overreading the tensions. Greg Roman from the Middle East Forum pointed out that the U.S. actions concerning the Houthis were about safeguarding global trade rather than abandoning Israel.
He also suggested that any potential nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia could, in fact, enhance Israel’s security.
As uncertainties loom over the region, Netanyahu’s response to Iran remains notably muted. While his administration has publicly engaged with concerns surrounding Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, he has not voiced much about nuclear negotiations with Tehran.
Despite not intending to visit Israel on this trip, Feltman mentioned that some Sunni leaders feel uneasy about the current trajectory of Iran negotiations, suggesting they could be equally detrimental to their interests.
