Trump's Israel Dilemma: A Shift in US Policies Sparks Anxiety in Jerusalem

As President Donald Trump embarks on his first major overseas trip to the Middle East, bypassing Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's leaders are growing increasingly anxious about their country's status in the minds of the US administration. This comes after a series of incidents that have eroded trust between the two leaders, including Trump's direct talks with Iran, his consideration of offering Saudi Arabia access to civil nuclear technology without demanding normalization with Israel, and the reported release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas after direct talks with US officials.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump's administration is increasingly sidelining Netanyahu, sparking concerns among Israeli officials and analysts about the country's influence in US foreign policy.
• Senior Trump officials, including former national security adviser Michael Waltz, have been removed from their positions for coordinating with Netanyahu on military options against Iran, angering Trump.
• The "America First" approach of the Trump administration prioritizes economic and financial interests over a geopolitical or security context, leading to tensions with traditional Israeli allies in the US.
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of US relations is under fire, with some analysts and lawmakers questioning his ability to navigate the changing dynamics in Washington.
• A "new challenge" poses a problem for Israel, as its traditional support in Congress is being tested by the rise of an Israel-skeptic wing within the Republican Party.
• The shift in US policies marks a sharp reversal from November, when many Israelis celebrated Trump's election and hailed it as "history's greatest comeback."

Statistics:

• The US has provided $4 billion in annual military assistance to Israel (Source: Ross).
• Trump's administration is considering offering Saudi Arabia access to civil nuclear technology without demanding normalization with Israel (Source: Reports).
• Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage, was released by Hamas after direct talks with US officials (Source: Reports).
• 10% of Republican lawmakers allied with Trump are increasingly turning away from Israel, leaving it without recourse in Congress (Source: Amit Segal, Israeli political analyst).
• 67% of Israelis were satisfied with Netanyahu's handling of US relations before the Trump administration (Source: Public opinion surveys).

Sources:

• Dennis Ross, former senior State Department official, as quoted by the Washington Post.
• Amit Segal, Israeli political analyst, as quoted by the Washington Post.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign video on YouTube.
• Hazem Balousha, a reporter for the Washington Post, contributed to this report.