While there is some tension between the US and Israel, the conflict between Netanyahu and Putin is partially intensifying. The Ukrainian and Middle Eastern dossiers are increasingly intersecting
Tensions between the United States and Israel are growing. On Monday, Donald Trump reported that Washington is “examining” whether the Jewish state violated the ceasefire in Gaza with the recent attack that led to the death of Hamas commander Raed Saad. Just before, Axios had reported that the White House would send a harsh private message to the Israeli prime minister. “The White House’s message to Netanyahu was: ‘If you want to ruin your reputation and show that you’re not honoring the agreements, go ahead, but we won’t let you ruin President Trump’s reputation after he brokered the Gaza deal,’” an American official told the newspaper. Jerusalem, for its part, is said to be irritated by the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Doha on the possible sale of F-35 fighters to Qatar. Not only that. According to the Times of Israelthe Jewish state is reportedly monitoring with concern Washington’s growing defense ties with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye.
But that’s not all. Israel also does not take kindly to the support that Trump is providing to the current regime in Damascus. “The new leader is a strong person, and that’s what we need. This is a difficult part of the world, and it’s incredible what happened in Syria,” the White House occupant said on Monday, referring to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Let us remember that the latter is historically supported by Türkiye and that, a year ago, it overthrew a regime, that of Bashar al Assad, which was very close to Russia. It is no coincidence that, in the last twelve months, Moscow has significantly lost influence on Syria to the clear advantage of Ankara. Well, it may be a coincidence, but, lately, Vladimir Putin has become closer to Netanyahu, whose relations with both Syria and Turkey are not exactly idyllic.
Last week, the Israeli government summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to reproach him for the criticism he had made of Netanyahu himself, when the latter spoke to the Knesset about his “personal relationship” with the Russian president. It should not be overlooked that, in recent months, Trump has approached Turkey to put pressure on the Tsar and push him to soften his positions on Ukraine. The American president is well aware that Putin not only needs to recover ground in Syria but that he also wants to carve out the role of mediator between Washington and Tehran on the nuclear issue. Moscow also hopes not to be left out of the reconstruction of Gaza and the possible revival of the Abraham Accords. It is therefore to reduce this vulnerability that the head of the Kremlin is trying to play catch-up with Netanyahu, noting the fibrillations that, at the moment, characterize relations between Washington and Jerusalem.
However, Putin cannot afford to spoil his relations with Ankara either. And the same goes for the United States. It must therefore be careful, especially in light of the fact that, after the fall of Assad and the weakening of Iran, its margins for maneuver in the Middle East have been reduced. Trump, for his part, must move to try to reduce tensions between Damascus and Jerusalem, as well as to promote a rapid normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The future of the Abraham Accords is at stake.
