Wall Street Journal: Trump avoids clash with Netanyahu amid rising regional tensions

The Wall Street Journal, citing current and former U.S. officials, reported that President Donald Trump does not want to enter a major political confrontation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite rising tensions after Israel’s recent attack on Qatar and the regional and international fallout it caused.

According to the paper, Netanyahu has in recent weeks turned to flattery and courtesies toward Trump, exploiting their close personal relationship to ensure continued unconditional U.S. support for Israel and to avoid any public dispute that could weaken his standing domestically or on the international stage.

The report said that Washington decision-making circles view U.S. concern about Israel’s security as having declined compared with previous years, especially after the Israeli military — according to U.S. assessments — succeeded in weakening many of its regional adversaries such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, and even Iran, which itself faces domestic and regional challenges.

The paper also noted that the Trump administration balances its military and political support for Israel with a desire to avoid becoming entangled in an open crisis that could complicate Washington’s strategic priorities, particularly given the volatile issues tied to Gulf security, the war in Ukraine, and competition with China and Russia.

According to U.S. sources, Trump still regards Israel as “an indispensable partner” in the Middle East, but at the same time he is leaving the door open to political settlements or regional understandings that could reduce the intensity of the conflict, provided they are not interpreted as undermining the U.S.-Israeli alliance.