U.S. President Donald Trump talks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting where Trump announced nuclear talks with Iran, Washington, U.S., April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo
Israel’s Response to U.S. Middle East Policy: Growing Concerns and Diplomatic Restraint
Israel’s right-wing government has remained diplomatically silent amid a series of policy announcements from U.S. President Donald Trump that have stirred unease regarding Israel’s standing with its most important ally.
Shifting U.S. Priorities
Trump’s decision to exclude Israel from his Middle East visit has been perceived as a sign of the administration’s shift towards prioritizing economic relationships with wealthy Gulf states, including Qatar—an ally of Hamas, according to Israeli officials. This decision follows other moves that have raised concerns in Israel, including U.S. talks with Iran and the decision to halt bombing of the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, despite the group’s continued missile strikes on Israeli targets.
During Trump’s current visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, he announced a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis while missile warning sirens sounded across Israel, including in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as another missile from Yemen approached.
Hostage Negotiation Without Israel
Tensions heightened further when the U.S. independently negotiated the release of Edan Alexander, the last remaining American hostage in Gaza, directly with Hamas. Israeli officials were notably absent from the talks, leading to growing perceptions of a diminished Israeli role in the U.S.’s regional strategy.
Additionally, Trump’s call to lift sanctions on Syria and normalize relations with the new Damascus government has caused alarm, given Israel’s view of the regime as a radical jihadist entity.
Trump’s Justification and Israeli Silence
Despite speculation about a weakening U.S.-Israel alliance, Trump dismissed such concerns, stating that his Middle Eastern strategy ultimately serves Israeli interests by fostering relations with regional powers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refrained from public criticism, limiting his comments to gratitude for Trump’s role in securing Alexander’s release.
Israeli media and political commentators, however, have expressed unease. Yoav Limor, writing for the right-leaning Israel Hayom, remarked that the Middle East is being reshaped through agreements and meetings, while Israel remains a passive observer.
Domestic and Strategic Challenges
Netanyahu, currently facing corruption charges, has faced pressure from hardliners within his government who demand the continuation of the Gaza war until Hamas’s defeat. Meanwhile, the Israeli public is increasingly weary of the prolonged conflict, which has lasted for over 18 months.
Analysts note that the divergence between U.S. and Israeli priorities has become increasingly apparent. Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. intelligence officer specializing in the Middle East, observed that Trump’s focus on economic and trade agreements does not necessarily align with Israel’s traditional security concerns.
Ceasefire Talks and Military Actions
While an Israeli delegation has joined ceasefire negotiations in Doha, led by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli forces have concurrently intensified airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in significant Palestinian casualties. Netanyahu has reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling Hamas’s military and governance structures, declaring that Israel will neither halt its operations nor surrender.
Maintaining Diplomatic Ties
Despite underlying tension, Israeli officials remain cautious in their public statements. A spokesperson from the Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized that the country’s dialogue with the United States would continue discreetly, avoiding media commentary. National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt reiterated the administration’s commitment to collaborating with Israel on regional security and the release of hostages held in Gaza.
While right-wing factions within the Israeli government, who once celebrated Trump’s plan to redevelop Gaza as a resort area, have remained silent, it is evident that the rapid shifts in U.S. foreign policy have left Israel grappling with its future role in the evolving Middle Eastern landscape.
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