Trump's Middle East Tour Exposes Rift with Netanyahu Over Iran and Gaza

Strategic Insights -

As US President Donald Trump embarks on a tour of the Middle East, a rift between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emerged over critical issues such as Iran's nuclear program and the ongoing Gaza war. Negotiations for the release of an American-Israeli hostage from Gaza, bypassing Netanyahu, have raised questions about Trump's priorities in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump has bypassed Netanyahu in negotiations for the release of an American-Israeli hostage from Gaza, dealing a blow to Netanyahu's influence over the US president.
  • Trump's decision to pursue direct negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program has reduced Netanyahu to a spectator on a defining issue of his premiership.
  • Trump's announcement of a truce with Yemen's Houthi militants has left Israel to battle the Houthis alone, despite previous agreements between the US and Israel.
  • The US president has expressed support for Saudi Arabia's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, despite Israel's opposition to him.
  • Trump's focus on economic gains and transactional relationships with world leaders has put pressure on Netanyahu to end the Gaza war, which could free as many as 20 living Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity.
  • Netanyahu's reluctance to give in to Trump's demands for a swift end to the Gaza war has left the US president unable to further advance his signature foreign policy achievement, the Abraham Accords.
  • The gap between Trump and Netanyahu on Iran holds the potential to be far wider, with Trump considering a deal that allows Iran to retain some domestic nuclear capacity.

Statistics:

  • Trump has announced a truce with Yemen's Houthi militants, which has been breached three times, including twice while he was in Saudi Arabia.
  • The US president has lifted sanctions on Syria, setting up a meeting with its new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has been denounced as a dangerous jihadist by Israel.
  • The Abraham Accords, a series of agreements between the US and several Arab states, has yet to include Saudi Arabia, which demands a pathway to a Palestinian state.
  • Up to 20 living Israeli hostages could be freed from Hamas captivity if Netanyahu ends the Gaza war.

Sources:

  • Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the US
  • Dudi Amsalem, a minister from Netanyahu's Likud party
  • Amir Levy/Getty Images
  • "The Atlantic", May 6, 2020 ("The Trump Doctrine")
  • "The Wall Street Journal", May 10, 2022 ("Trump's Middle East Diplomacy Faces New Tests")
  • "Haaretz", April 20, 2022 ("The End of Bibi")