18.05.2025 17:02
Israeli media indicated that U.S. President Trump's visit to the Middle East sent a clear and direct message of "you've been fired" to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Reports in the country's press commented that "the road to Washington now passes through Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Ankara," while also highlighting that the U.S. administration is on the path to approving the decision to sell missiles to Turkey and the sale of F-35s.
In Israel, comments have been made regarding the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from May 13 to 16, indicating serious tensions between the current Washington and Tel Aviv administrations.
ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO TRUMP'S DECISIONS
Despite Israel's objections, Trump, who sat down at the nuclear negotiation table with Iran, announced a ceasefire with the Houthis while Israel was conducting attacks in Yemen, and declared that sanctions on Syria would be lifted, is evaluated to have given approval for the sale of advanced weapons and ammunition to regional countries, which would undermine Tel Aviv's "qualitative military superiority" in the region.
"THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON NOW PASSES THROUGH RIYADH, DOHA, ABU DHABI, AND ANKARA"
In an article published on the Walla news site, Ben Caspit pointed out that U.S. President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE this week indicates that "Israel has been left out of the Middle Eastern feast." Caspit suggested that there is no leader who does not know that the road to Washington passes through establishing good relations with Israel, noting that this understanding, which has been dominant for generations, is changing. He stated, "The road to Washington now passes through Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Ankara," adding that "the road to hell" passes through Israel.
"WE ARE OUTSIDE, LOOKING AT THE WALL"
Caspit mentioned that one of the secrets behind Israel's ability to maintain its power since its establishment in a region "surrounded by adversaries" and its ability to survive is its open and stable relationship with Washington. He noted that all Israeli prime ministers have been aware that they should not harm this "historical and strategic alliance" with the U.S., but emphasized that this situation has changed today with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Caspit stressed that the principle of strictly maintaining Israel's "qualitative superiority" in weapon systems against its neighbors, which is one of the most important and fundamental principles in Israel's relations with Washington, is no longer valid, stating: "Americans will provide the Saudis with stealth aircraft, the Turks with medium-range missile batteries, and everything they want. In the near future, the entire Middle East will be flooded with advanced American weapons. Our privilege has become everyone's property, and our voice is not heard in the room for a simple reason: We are outside, looking at the wall."
TRUMP'S "YOU'VE BEEN FIRED" MESSAGE TO NETANYAHU
In another article published in Haaretz by Yossi Verter, it was stated that U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East visit, which ended on Friday, indicated that Israel is not the "most favored" U.S. ally in the region and sent a "you've been fired" message to Netanyahu. The article noted that while Netanyahu appeared in court regarding his corruption case in Tel Aviv, Trump was discussing new investments with regional leaders and signing trade and "regional cooperation" agreements.
"ISRAEL WILL CONTINUE TO 'STRUGGLE IN A BLOODY MUD'"
Verter emphasized that under the control of a prime minister who "wants to escape from justice and elections," Israel will continue to "struggle in a bloody mud" under the patronage of the far-right, noting that the security and technological superiority of Trump's "new favorite" allies in the region will seriously shake Tel Aviv's status in the coming years. The article pointed out that Trump's visit to the Middle East and his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Shara caused the Netanyahu government to experience "the most traumatic week" diplomatically since its establishment.
COMMENT ON TRUMP BEING FAR FROM BEING NETANYAHU'S ALLY, UNLIKE HIS FIRST TERM
In an opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post by Amotz Asa-el, it was emphasized that unlike his first presidential term, today Trump is far from being Netanyahu's "ally, friend, and toy." The article pointed out that the U.S. president, whom Netanyahu thought he could control "forever," has taken steps against the Netanyahu government since being re-elected.
APPROVAL SIGNAL FOR THE SALE OF F-35s TO TURKEY
It was noted that Trump sat down at the nuclear negotiation table with Iran, announced a ceasefire with the Houthis while Israel continued its attacks in Yemen, and declared that sanctions on Syria would be lifted. The article evaluated that the U.S. administration's move towards approving the sale of F-35s to Turkey is a move that "undermines Israel's strategic alignment with the U.S." It was also reminded that regarding Gaza, Trump directly negotiated with Hamas for the release of U.S.-Israeli dual citizen soldier Idan Alexander, ignoring the "failing statesman" (Netanyahu) who sees him as his puppet.
"AMERICANS ARE NOT INTENDED TO MAKE GESTURES TO ISRAEL"
Avi Askhenazi pointed out in an article in Yedioth Ahronoth that the Israeli government is at a crossroads. Touching on discussions about whether U.S. Vice President JD Vance would come to Israel after his visit to the Vatican, Askhenazi stated that the U.S. is increasing pressure on Israel, especially regarding Gaza, and that Trump is not even considering sending Vance to Israel "as a consolation prize." Askhenazi concluded, "Americans are not intended to make gestures to Israel."