On December 27, 1962, in a Palm Beach, Florida, meeting with Israel's Foreign Minister Golda Meir, President John Kennedy described the US-Israel relationship as "special," drawing a parallel to the deep ties between the United States and Britain.
This analogy underscored Washington's bond with London – an alliance grounded not only in mutual interests but in a shared commitment to core values. The US, along with large segments of its public, viewed Israel as a vivid embodiment of the American principles of freedom, self-determination, and self-governance.
Over the past sixty years, this partnership has weathered numerous challenges, yet its foundation has held firm against crises that never undermined its core. American administrations have consistently avoided actions that could inflame tensions, given the broad support for these "special relations" within the US public and political system.
For example, in 1975, President Gerald Ford's effort to "reassess" ties to pressure Israel into a Sinai withdrawal faltered amid fierce domestic backlash. Likewise, President Jimmy Carter's attempt to broker an Israeli-Palestinian deal with Soviet coordination was dropped within days.
Historically, events seen as eroding the alliance's value-driven roots have yielded adverse outcomes for Israel. Notable cases include President George H.W. Bush's 1992 call to halt construction in Judea and Samaria as a condition for loan guarantees to support Soviet immigration absorption, and the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, despite widespread opposition – culminating in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress.
In contrast to past crises, President Donald Trump clearly supports Israel, its historical legacy, and its role in countering terrorism and the "axis of evil." This support was evident during his first term and continues, to some degree, in his current tenure.
Yet Trump's recent Middle East policies challenge the other pillar of the special relationship – shared interests. Prioritizing American national interests, he has sidelined the US-Israel bond. Unlike his first term, where these pillars aligned, today's dynamics reveal a stark divergence.
Once seen as erratic, Trump now demonstrates a refined approach to foreign policy and security. The 47th president pursues his diplomatic vision with resolve, using diplomacy and soft power to reshape the Middle East under American dominance, forging shared interests with regional partners.
His goal of stable alliances to expand the Abraham Accords and mitigate conflict with Iran has spurred massive Gulf state deals. The equation is straightforward – advanced weaponry and technology, including a nuclear reactor for Saudi Arabia, in return for significant investments in the US economy.
Israel's integration into a regional alliance and normalization with Saudi Arabia were intended as the centerpiece of Trump's strategy. Saudi endorsement would have bolstered the partnership and integrated Israel into the Islamic world. However, Netanyahu opted to bypass this prospect, diverging from Israel's traditional policy of exploring every diplomatic avenue.
In response, Trump unveiled an alternative plan excluding Israel. Arms deliveries persist, but he has shifted to a strategy of isolation and distance. Houthi strikes were stopped without Israel's input, leaving it to face ongoing missile attacks from Yemen. Iran nuclear talks were initiated without notifying Netanyahu. Dialogue with Hamas started without Israel's knowledge. The new Damascus regime gained rapid recognition and relaxed sanctions. Trump's recent itinerary included Qatar but omitted Jerusalem – a grim picture of a partnership on a collision course.
Video: Trump arrives in Qatar on May 14, 2025 / Credit: Reuters
The Iranian issue underscores Israel's acute dilemma. Despite the IAEA's report that Iran is a nuclear threshold state, US diplomacy remains unchanged. For Netanyahu, with Iran's threat looming large, this is unacceptable. The window for striking Iran's nuclear sites, briefly opened during the Biden-Trump transition, appears to have closed with Trump's return to office.
An independent Israeli operation amid these talks would jeopardize Trump's vision of a restructured Middle East under US leadership. Such a move, nearly impossible without American backing, risks shattering the remaining ideological and strategic ties between Washington and Jerusalem.
