Trump Decides to Move Forward on Middle East Policy Without Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly severed direct contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and decided to pursue his Middle East policy independently of Israel, according to a report from the Israel Hayom.

The report, citing sources close to Trump, describes the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu as having reached a “low point.” Trump is said to be frustrated with what he views as Netanyahu’s obstruction of his broader regional agenda.

The apparent rupture comes amid a series of recent moves by the Trump administration signaling a shift in its Middle East strategy. Last week, Trump reassigned National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, appointing him as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. While the administration framed it as a promotion, reports emerged that Waltz had been secretly communicating with Netanyahu about launching U.S. military strikes on Iran—without Trump’s knowledge. Trump, by contrast, has sought to pursue diplomatic outreach toward Tehran.

Israeli officials were reportedly blindsided when Trump announced the initiation of talks with Iran in April, just days after Netanyahu visited the White House on April 2. That visit followed intense internal debates within the administration over the appropriate course regarding Iran.

According to Israel Hayom Trump has become increasingly disillusioned with Netanyahu and his advisors, accusing them of trying to push the United States into a war with Iran.

Saudi Arabia also remains central to Trump’s regional policy. While Trump has long championed a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel, Riyadh has insisted on progress toward Palestinian statehood and an end to the war in Gaza as preconditions.

Earlier on Thursday, The Times of Israel reported that Trump has dropped the requirement for Saudi Arabia to formally recognize Israel as a condition for finalizing a U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear agreement—something Riyadh has long sought.

Trump’s tone on the Gaza conflict has also shifted in recent days, as he has emphasized the importance of delivering humanitarian aid. This comes after Israel began blocking aid shipments in March, shortly before the U.S. gave the green light for Israel to resume military operations in Gaza following and to unilaterally abandon the ceasefire that had been in effect since January 19th.

The final break may have come with Trump’s unexpected decision on Tuesday to end the U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen. Originally launched to secure Red Sea shipping lanes used by Israeli-linked vessels and to counter missile attacks by Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, the mission concluded without securing a halt to attacks on Israeli assets or Israel itself. Israeli officials were reportedly caught off guard by the ceasefire announcement.

On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated the U.S. “Doesn’t need Israel’s permission” to reach a ceasefire agreement in Yemen.

While the U.S. is unlikely to withdraw support for Israel entirely, especially in areas where American and Israeli interests align, the recent developments suggest that the Trump administration is no longer willing to subordinate its Middle East policy to Israel’s preferences.

Trump is scheduled to visit the Middle East from May 13 to May 16, with planned stops in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Notably, Israel is not included in the itinerary—a move that further underscores the growing rift between the Trump administration and the Netanyahu government.