Israel Report President Donald Trump has expressed his disappointment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is set to take new steps regarding the Middle East.
A report in Hebrew cites two sources familiar with Trump, suggesting that he is shifting away from Netanyahu’s influence in significant policy decisions.
Last month, Trump caught Netanyahu off guard by revealing that the U.S. would start “in-person” talks with Iran about a new nuclear agreement. This week, he further surprised Israel by announcing a ceasefire agreement with Yemeni Houthi rebels.
Sources indicated that the president wants to implement decisions he believes will benefit the U.S., particularly concerning Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. Israel was expected to play a role in these efforts—likely concerning normalization with Saudi Arabia. However, Trump feels Netanyahu is hindering vital progress. As a result, he seems willing to take action that Israel anticipates while allowing it to advance without his involvement.
Saudi Arabia’s willingness to normalize relations with Israel seems contingent on managing the conflict in Gaza and Israel’s acknowledgment of a “Palestinian state” or similar phrase. Minister Ron Dahmer has spent significant time formulating terms for Israel’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state, given public opposition and political sensitivity around the topic.
The president’s frustration may explain Israel’s situation, as it announces a ceasefire with the Houthis, indicating that Israel will be part of the agreement. Despite this, Israeli officials involved in U.S. relations have reportedly been left out of the loop regarding developments in the White House. Moreover, Trump currently has no plans to visit Israel during his regional trip.
Trump has previously voiced his dissatisfaction with Netanyahu, particularly after Netanyahu’s refusal to engage in compromises with the Palestinians following Trump’s election win in 2020.
In his first term, Trump seemed to hold Netanyahu accountable for the lack of progress in peace talks, only to find that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was also unwilling to make essential compromises.
There are growing concerns in Israel that Trump may be preparing to sign a new deal with Iran, potentially repeating errors of the 2015 agreement made by President Obama, despite having a pro-Israel reputation. Many worry Trump might compromise Israel’s security for political gains.
Additionally, there’s a sentiment among Israelis that Trump and his advisors lack a deep understanding of the Middle East dynamics. For instance, special envoy Steve Witkoff recently suggested that Qatar has genuine interests in regional peace and stability—a notion that many Israelis dispute, considering Qatar’s previous support for the Muslim Brotherhood and its ongoing backing of Al Jazeera, which has been critical of Israel.
