Netanyahu expresses concern over Trump's policies, is Israel becoming isolated?

 

President Donald Trump, a much-discussed figure in US politics, has returned to the world stage with his own strategic acumen. However, his return this time is a little different, a little more gray. Although he visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar during his recent Middle East tour, he did not visit Israel. Trump's neglect of Israel is not just a diplomatic blunder, but a deep political signal.

The way Trump pursued a pro-Israel foreign policy during his previous term—moving the embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the Golan Heights as 'Israeli territory'—all of these are in stark contrast to Trump's current administration.

Although Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were prominently featured in Trump's recent Middle East tour, the occupying power Israel was left out of the list. And this was one of the most discussed steps that gave rise to several national concerns and analyses.

Neglect or strategic distance?

Trump, however, said that this was not an insult. Rather, according to his commentary, this visit is ‘good for Israel’. Because he is trying to bring back a new normalization agreement with Arab countries.

However, the Washington-based media outlet The Atlantic reported that Trump’s visit and policy changes are a sign of moving Israel away from the center. And this has caused great discomfort in Tel Aviv.

Tensions over Iran

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has resumed indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear program. The fourth round of talks between high-level officials of the two countries has already ended. However, these talks have turned into a political nightmare for the Benjamin Netanyahu government.

Tel Aviv has long portrayed Iran as an ‘existential threat’. In that situation, such a flexible diplomacy by Washington has left Israel insecure.

The most worrying thing is the Trump administration’s return to indirect nuclear talks with Iran. Israel sees this issue as an existential threat. The possibility of easing sanctions on Iran has become a major cause of concern for the Netanyahu government.

Israel is also 'concerned' about the Gaza war

Amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, Trump has called for a direct ceasefire. And this comes at a time when Tel Aviv is taking the strategy of a 'final military response'. If Trump had been the previous administration, Netanyahu might not have faced such an incident. But the situation is different now.

Trump's direct ceasefire call mainly strengthens the concern that US support is weakening in Israeli security circles.

Prisoner release ignoring Netanyahu

In addition, the Trump administration recently released Israeli-American citizen Aidan Alexander from Hamas detention without any participation from Tel Aviv. This move has also become a symbol of Netanyahu's diplomatic failure and Washington's strategic distance.

Lifting of sanctions on Syria: A challenge to Israel

Another big event was Trump's meeting with the new Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during his visit to Saudi Arabia. This was the first time in two decades that a US president had met with a Syrian leader. After this historic meeting, Trump lifted all sanctions on Syria. At the same time, he called al-Sharaa an 'extraordinary leader'.

Basically, Israel has gone on the back foot here too. Because Israel has long been in favor of maintaining sanctions against Syria. They have continued their own military operations and support for the Druze group there. That is why Trump's move has challenged Israel's strategic position.

Trump's meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and lifting of sanctions not only created a new equation in the Middle East but also broke Israel's old strategic lines. Tel Aviv has always wanted to keep Syria isolated internationally. Now Trump's move is strongly challenging that policy.

US position changes in Yemen war

Meanwhile, since October 7, 2023, the Houthi-controlled Yemeni military has been continuously launching missile attacks on Israeli territory and airports. It also attacked US warships stationed in the Red Sea. Initially, the US took military action in response, and Israel praised it.

But then the Trump administration signed a ceasefire agreement with Yemen. All of which ignored Israel. Just two days before the agreement was announced, a Yemeni hypersonic missile hit Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport. As a result, a crater about 30 feet deep was created there and 6 people were injured. Even then, the US-Yemen talks ended, leaving Tel Aviv completely at a distance.

Israel's absence from the US ceasefire talks with the Houthis is a kind of diplomatic omission. Although this agreement was brokered by Washington, Tel Aviv was only a spectator.

Limited US Influence in the Middle East: Israel Is All Alone!

The Atlantic says that these changes in Trump's policy indicate a new US strategic reality - where the United States no longer wants to play the strong role it used to.

While the Biden administration provided full military support to Israel during the Gaza offensive, the new Trump administration is much more cautious and limited in its foreign involvement.

For example, reducing the number of US troops in Syria and restructuring the Trump administration's current policy alliance and moving away from unilateral war-making policies.All this is a clear indication that the United States no longer wants to be the ‘security umbrella’ for Israel in the Middle East as it used to be. Rather, it is now reconsidering the strategic balance. Where Israel is not just the sole beneficiary, but is being forced to build a self-reliant regional power with countries and groups supported by Iran.

Is the old policy collapsing in the new reality?

Basically, this is a policy shake-up for Israel. No matter how much Trump says that this change is good for Israel. But the reality is that Tel Aviv has now come out of the shadow that has provided it with security for so long. When allies advance their own calculations in foreign policy, old bonds are at risk.

The only question at the moment is how alone will Israel become in the new reality of the Middle East and is it ready to face this new loneliness?

Although Israel is not losing its old ally. But he may have to be 'isolated' in a newly transformed Middle East. Source: The Atlantic and Al-Mayadeen