Israel Today: The special relationship between America and Israel is in danger

A news analysis in the Israeli Israel Today (Israel Hayom) newspaper concluded that the special relationship between the United States and Israel is at a historic crossroads, as US President Donald Trump prepares to tour the Gulf states, from which he may exclude the occupying state.

Abraham Ben-Zvi, a professor of political science at the University of Haifa, said in his analysis that six decades of deep, strategic, and diplomatic partnership between the two countries, based on values ​​that have over time acquired the character of a special relationship, have now reached a critical juncture that could jeopardize it.

He added that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are rapidly heading toward a direct clash over high-stakes regional and global issues.

Ben-Zvi, an expert on Israeli-US relations, believes that a swift end to the war in the Gaza Strip represents a cornerstone for Trump’s legacy as a resolute leader who works tirelessly to resolve serious conflicts, or at least to mitigate their volatility.

The war in Gaza takes on particular significance in Trump’s quest to present himself as a skilled mediator, which Ben-Zvi considers in his analysis to be a prerequisite for moving forward with an ambitious framework to reshape the Middle East under American hegemony.

However, according to Ben-Zvi’s analysis, this vision hinges on the mutual deals between Washington and the Arab Gulf states, whereby the United States supplies its regional allies with advanced weapons in exchange for massive investments in the American economy, thereby strengthening their military position in the region.

Ben-Zvi believes the White House’s goal is to form a broad US-backed strategic and diplomatic alliance capable of confronting the Iranian threat or any other regional or global challenge to the emerging order.

Imminent developments may include granting Hamas a role in governing Gaza after the war, even if this is only a formal political matter rather than a military one.

They may also include reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran without consulting Israel, and supporting a Saudi civilian nuclear program without a green light from Israel.

Ben-Zvi’s analysis indicates that the special relationship between the United States and Israel is currently under historic pressure.

There is a real threat posed by the left wing of the US Democratic Party, while the isolationist wing of the Republican Party is showing increasing alienation.

From Ben-Zvi’s perspective, this generated frustration, anger, and disappointment with Netanyahu, and this became public within the White House.

Ben-Zvi added that Trump and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, are finding it difficult to understand the strategic logic behind Israel’s continued entanglement in the Gaza quagmire, which they consider a pointless war.

According to Ben-Zvi, the recent developments in the region—the most recent of which was the release by the Hamas of Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander on Monday following direct negotiations between Hamas and the United States—are one in a series of events that could cast further bleakness over the special relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Ben-Zvi expects these developments to soon include a role for Hamas in governing Gaza after the war, even if this is only formally political and not military.

It may also include reaching a nuclear agreement with Iran without consulting Israel, and support for a Saudi civilian nuclear program without Israel’s green light.