In a dramatic realignment of U.S. foreign policy in West Asia, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates has underscored a growing distance between Washington and its long-standing ally, Israel.
The four-day trip, marked by high-stakes arms deals and deepening economic and technological ties with Sunni Gulf states, has signalled a decisive pivot in American priorities — one that appears to sideline Israeli interests.
Trump’s regional diplomacy, defined by transactional deals rather than ideological alliances, has left Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu politically and diplomatically exposed.
Analysts say the tour cemented a new Sunni-led regional order, positioning the Gulf monarchies at the center of U.S. strategy, while diminishing Israel’s traditional influence.
One of the clearest signs of this shift came during Trump’s visit to Riyadh, where he publicly shook hands with Syria’s new Islamist leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa — a man Israel has denounced as an “al-Qaeda terrorist in a suit.”
Trump’s warm remarks about Sharaa, facilitated by Saudi mediation, reflected a willingness to engage with players previously shunned by Washington, especially at Israel’s urging.
This symbolic break — paired with Trump’s decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria and announce a ceasefire with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen — highlights a broader reorientation of American strategy: one that increasingly places Israel outside the inner circle of Washington’s regional partners.
Washington’s Growing Frustration with Netanyahu
Trump’s decision to bypass Israel entirely during his Gulf tour did not go unnoticed. According to diplomatic sources, the move was a deliberate signal of mounting dissatisfaction in Washington with Netanyahu’s approach to key regional issues — especially the war in Gaza and his staunch opposition to any diplomatic engagement with Iran.
“This administration is very frustrated with Netanyahu, and that frustration is showing,” said David Schenker, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. “They’re extremely transactional, and Netanyahu isn’t offering them anything in return.”
While officials insist that U.S.-Israel ties remain strong, the nature of the relationship is shifting. Trump’s preference for regional de-escalation, business interests, and military disengagement stands in sharp contrast to Netanyahu’s hardline stance and persistent calls for more aggressive action against Iran and its proxies.
Israel Sidelined in Regional Power Dynamics
The implications of Trump’s tour extend beyond diplomatic symbolism. With Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi now emerging as central players in shaping West Asia’s future, Israel finds itself increasingly out of step with the region’s power centers.
“The Middle East is being reshaped — but it’s not happening in Tel Aviv anymore,” a senior Gulf official commented. “The real decisions are being made in Riyadh and the other Gulf capitals, where the tools are not just military but economic — investment, trade, and technology.”
Indeed, Saudi Arabia’s ability to influence U.S. policy was made evident when Trump, at the Kingdom’s urging and over Israeli objections, reversed long-standing American sanctions on Syria.
The move effectively signaled U.S. acceptance of a new post-Assad political order in Damascus — one underpinned by Gulf support and aligned with their vision of regional stability, rather than Israel’s.
Diplomatic Fallout and Domestic Criticism
Back in Israel, Trump’s Gulf outreach has fueled fears of diplomatic isolation. Netanyahu, who remains embroiled in a corruption trial, has faced a torrent of criticism from former allies and political rivals.
“The Middle East is undergoing tectonic changes before our eyes,” said former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. “Our enemies are getting stronger, and Netanyahu and his team are passive, as if they don’t exist.”
Israeli media, too, has been awash with reports of deteriorating ties with Washington, speculation over Netanyahu’s lack of influence, and growing anxiety that Israel is being left out of critical regional negotiations.
Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire with the Houthis — coming just days after a missile strike on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport — was viewed by many in Israel as a strategic betrayal.
Hawkish voices in Jerusalem have condemned the move as appeasement and a signal that American priorities no longer align with Israel’s security needs.
A New Strategic Reality
While U.S. officials maintain that Israel remains a vital ally, the reality is unmistakable: Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic moves have left Israel increasingly isolated.
In prioritizing Gulf partnerships, economic engagement, and conflict resolution — even with adversaries — the U.S. is now operating from a playbook where Israeli preferences no longer automatically define regional strategy.
For Netanyahu and his government, the message is clear: unconditional U.S. support is no longer guaranteed, and the new Middle East is being built without Israel at its core.
