[Text/Observer Network Liu Chenghui] U.S. President Trump, who is embroiled in thorny issues such as the Iran nuclear negotiations and the Israel-Palestine conflict, will visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar for three consecutive days starting May 13. This is his first foreign trip since the beginning of his second term.

However, compared to a few months ago, the relationship between the United States and Israel has revealed subtle changes. A report by US media on May 11 mentioned that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have transitioned from being默契 partners to developing growing estrangement. In recent weeks, their relationship has become tense, exposing differences on many key issues.

Trump rejected Israel's request to jointly strike Iran's nuclear facilities and initiated negotiations with Iran. Trump hoped to promote the Gaza peace plan, but Israel was vigorously advancing military operations. Just recently, the US surprisingly "shook hands" with the Houthi armed group, which left Israel, now seemingly reduced to an "outsider," quite upset...

Again the Middle East, but without Israel

As eight years ago during his first presidential term, Trump's first foreign trip after returning to the White House remains in the Middle East.

This trip will take him successively to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. A White House spokesperson recently said that Trump's return to the region is a "historic homecoming," aiming to demonstrate that after eliminating local extremism, relations have shifted toward trade and culture.

May 22, 2017, Jerusalem, Trump visited Israel and Palestine for two days, visiting the Holy Sepulchre Church and the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Visual China

Jon Alterman, head of Middle East studies at the American think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Agence France-Presse that Trump would feel comfortable in the Gulf region, where the leaders of these countries would flatter him and not criticize him. Given Trump's numerous business interests in the region, these countries treat his family much like they would conduct business dealings.

Previously, Saudi Arabia's push for increased oil production also aligned with Trump's wish to lower crude oil prices in the market.

However, this trip takes place amidst renewed warfare in the Middle East. Steven Cook, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs at the Council on Foreign Relations, stated that although Trump's primary focus on this trip is economics, he cannot avoid geopolitical topics.

Moreover, unlike his first Middle Eastern trip eight years ago, Trump did not include Israel on this itinerary.

The New York Times reported on May 11 that the omission of Israel from Trump's itinerary has drawn attention. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated that Trump plans to visit Israel alone later this year. However, this contrasts with the fact that Trump's first trip during his first term included Israel.

As Trump arrives in the Middle East next week, the fate of the region may depend on their relationship.

From Flattery to Silence, "Their Relationship Gradually Develops Tension"

The New York Times published an article on the same day stating that the omission of Israel from Trump's itinerary has drawn attention. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated that Trump plans to visit Israel alone later this year. However, this contrasts with the fact that Trump's first trip during his first term included Israel. As Trump arrives in the Middle East next week, the fate of the region may depend on their relationship.

When Netanyahu met with Trump at the White House in February, the rapport between the two reached its peak. Trump listed the Houthis as a "terrorist organization," and both agreed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Trump even hinted at expelling Palestinians from Gaza. Netanyahu then flattered Trump: "You dare to speak out what others avoid, and when others are shocked and reflect, they will eventually admit you are right."

However, just two months later, when Netanyahu visited the White House again, the scene was drastically different — during Trump's half-hour monologue, he spoke mostly about matters unrelated to Israel, while Netanyahu sat silently, reflecting the widening rift between the leaders of the United States and Israel on core security issues for Israel.

April 7, Trump held a meeting with Netanyahu at the White House. Visual China

NBC News reported on May 11 that when Trump assumed office in January, he and Netanyahu maintained close alignment on several key issues.

But according to two U.S. officials, two Middle Eastern diplomats, and two other individuals familiar with their strained relationship, relations between Trump and Netanyahu have become tense in recent weeks. With Hamas and Iran significantly weakened, their strategic approaches to addressing these challenges have diverged, placing Trump's relationship with Israel, America's closest ally, at a crossroads. How they handle these differences will influence the outcomes of some core elements in America's foreign policy agenda.

On the Iran nuclear issue, Netanyahu believes this is the final opportunity to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities, while Trump considers it possible to eliminate the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons through an agreement.

On July 7th, Trump said he had yet to decide whether to allow Iran to retain uranium enrichment capabilities in the new nuclear agreement, which triggered a strong reaction from Netanyahu. A senior advisor to the Israeli prime minister conveyed concerns to the U.S. Middle East envoy the following day, emphasizing that Israel opposes any agreement allowing Iran to enrich uranium.

A U.S. official commented on Israel, saying: "They worry about reaching any agreement."

Regarding the Gaza issue, while Israel launched a new military offensive against Gaza, Trump was pushing for a ceasefire and wanted to implement his post-war plan to transform the region into the "Mediterranean Riviera." The Riviera refers to the Mediterranean coastal area, synonymous with high-quality living and entertainment environments.

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved an operation called "Gideon Chariots" on the evening of April 4, planning to significantly expand the offensive against the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), aiming to "conquer Gaza and control the territory."

An Israeli defense official stated on May 5th that Israel would not initiate actions before Trump's departure from the Middle East. If no hostage exchange agreement is reached between Hamas and Israel during this period, the operation will be fully launched, and the Israeli Defense Forces will flatten every standing building in Gaza.

U.S. officials revealed that Trump was deeply frustrated by Israel's renewed offensive in Gaza, believing it would undermine the post-war reconstruction plan. Currently, the U.S. is pushing for a ceasefire between Palestine and Israel, and Demer visited the U.S. this week to discuss related matters. However, Netanyahu insisted on prioritizing military strategies.

Two sources stated that privately, Trump expressed that Israel's new offensive in Gaza was futile because it would make reconstruction more difficult.

May 11, displaced Palestinians from eastern Gaza City and northern Gaza Strip walk on the streets of Gaza City. Visual China

"Against Trump, Netanyahu Can't Do It"

Last week, Trump announced an agreement with the Houthi armed group supported by Iran, halting U.S. airstrikes against them, while the Houthis agreed to stop attacking U.S. ships in the Red Sea.

Israeli officials revealed that this news came as a surprise to Netanyahu, and just a few days earlier, a Houthi missile attack on Tel Aviv's main airport in Israel had triggered retaliation.

Netanyahu posted on X platform: "Israel will defend itself. If other countries, our American friends, want to join us, that's great. If they don't, we will defend ourselves regardless."

In response to complaints from Israel, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee emphasized in an Israeli television interview that "American actions do not require Israeli approval."

The New York Times believes that the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu is clearly undergoing a test, and the future development of the Middle East situation partly depends on how the two leaders bridge their differences in the face of great geostrategic changes.

"Trump speaks directly and frankly, accustomed to expressing his true thoughts; Netanyahu is more reserved," said Eli Groner, former director of the Prime Minister's Office.

Frank Lowenstein, former Middle East envoy during the Obama administration, recently stated at an online briefing that Israelis recognize that although they welcomed Trump's presidency and believed it would allow Israel to pursue its own agenda freely, Trump also had his own agenda.

Ilan Goldenberg, who served as a senior official responsible for Middle East policy during the Biden and Obama administrations, believes that despite Netanyahu's disgust with Trump's Iran policy and his deal with the Houthis, the Israeli prime minister lacks sufficient political influence in both his country and Washington to directly confront Trump, as Trump is popular among Netanyahu's supporters.

"Netanyahu's entire political strategy and survival strategy are based on maintaining his coalition government and uniting his political base. These people like Trump, so openly opposing Trump is something he truly cannot do," Goldenberg said.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503440847065891362/

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