Benjamin Netanyahu sees in the relationship with the United States the basis for the existence of Israel, but today it shows its true face: a cold interest deal governed by tensions and mutual deception.
Despite the escalation of the war in Gaza and the increasing international pressure, the Donald Trump administration expressed clear support for Israel, but it is conditional on accurate diplomatic language. On the other hand, Netanyahu empires this support to enhance his political position internally, bypassing American restrictions through informal channels.
The alliance, which was once described as “eternal”, has become like a tight rope over a political and moral abyss. Netanyahu is betting on Trump to stay in power, while Trump is carefully counted to avoid the outbreak of an unaccounted regional war. The question now: How did this alliance move from an ideological partnership to an open market for interests? What are the limits of this support amid Netanyahu’s multiple crises?
From the alliance of ideology to the maneuvering of interests
Netanyahu has always presented himself as the closest Allied to Washington, but he did not hesitate to oppose its departments when his interests contradicted her. His famous speech to Congress in 2015 against the nuclear agreement with Iran was an explicit challenge, which stressed that his priorities stem from his own agenda, not from a deep strategic compatibility.
On the other hand, Trump provided him with rare support: moving the embassy to Jerusalem, leaving the nuclear agreement, and normalization agreements that strengthened his image as the leader of “making history”.
But what seemed then an exceptional alliance, reveals today its fragility. In 2025, Trump no longer gave his support without conditions, but rather has become tactical and calculated, closer to a temporary contract than being a firm partnership.
The Haaretz newspaper reduced the situation in a sharp analysis: “Israel is no longer a spoiled ally, but rather a disturbing partner that should be contained.”. This description not only reflects a change in the American mood, but also shows a coup in the balance of power: from a country that receives the mandate, to a leader who is monitored from behind the glass.
Trump continues to support Israel, driven by internal and external factors. Internally, it depends on its evangelical base that sees in Israel a religious and political embodiment.
As for externally, it aims to preserve the image of the American deterrence in the region and contain Iran’s influence, especially in light of the decline in American military intervention in the regional squares. But, unlike his first term, he became more cautious.
The escalation in Gaza or Syria may enter Washington in an open confrontation that is not in its strategic interest, nor in the swinging balance of the American economy. Therefore, his statements come in double language: the US State Department statement on May 6 on operations in Rafah called Israel to “respect international law and distinguish between goals”, a sentence that is read as a diplomatic warning covered with courtesy words.
On the surface, Israel is still supported, but in the depth, Washington began to set borders with what can be tolerated.
How did Netanyahu try to circumvent Washington?
With the erosion of confidence between the two parties, Netanyahu returned to its old methods: the indirect effect through the circles close to the administration, without passing the official channels.
Among the most prominent of these attempts is his relationship with Michael Waltz, a former national security adviser, who was known as “the voice of Israel” inside the White House. Axios leaks revealed that Netanyahu sent him direct analyzes about the Iranian situation, as well as about the field situation in the sector, bypassing the American administration.
The goal was to put pressure behind the scenes to amend the position of Washington, but the dismissal of Waltz later ended that vital channel, and showed that Washington began to close the doors of the illegal influence.
These steps show not only the fragility of Netanyahu’s position, but also his political style based on circumvention and dodging, even at the expense of the diplomatic norms that he has always sang.
Continuous support, but without absolute mandate
American support continues, but it has changed in its essence. It is true that planes, weapons and public attitudes are still being sent to Israel, but the American veto is no longer present with the same firmness in the Security Council, and the Trump administration did not make a great effort to abort the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire.
At the same time, Washington is expressing a clear apathy towards land operations in Rafah, and even leaked its resentment in calculated ways.
“Foreign Averez” magazine described the situation with unbearable words:
“The United States still supports Israel, but it is tired of Netanyahu.”.
This position puts Netanyahu in front of an unprecedented dilemma: the support exists, but it is not enough for a clear victory, and does not prevent internal collapse.
Indoor concern in Israel: When Washington becomes a mirror of leadership failure
The equation is getting more complicated when we look at the Israeli interior, as political elites follow this relationship with clear anxiety. The center and the left parties see the decline in American enthusiasm an opportunity to restrict Netanyahu, while the oath will be afraid that the American cover will lose in a critical moment. The division within its same camp is clear: a part that wants to break the dependency of America, and part sees that Trump is the last fort.
The “April 2025” Institute poll showed that 62% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu’s tense relationship with Washington is harmful to Israel’s global image. This not only reflects a diplomatic crisis, but an internal exposure of a man based on a fragile alliance to justify its continuation.
Baby on the edge: a maneuver to stay between escalation and appeasement
Netanyahu knows that his legitimacy is linked to a significant change, before the potential American -American cover loses, or before the coalition disintegrates at the first concession.
He is betting on a “calculated victory” before October. But time is working against it, as it knows that pushing the relationship with Washington to the point of no return will mean: the possibility of stopping the military supply, or at least waving it, declining global confidence in the “American deterrence” of Israel and accelerating the disintegration of the printed Arab countries, which depend on the American cover as a guarantor for its balances.
Under this scene, Netanyahu becomes like someone who adheres to an American rope that attracts him on both sides. He cannot leave him because he is his only guarantee to stay, but he does not want to be subject to his restrictions, because these restrictions threaten his fall. For this, he resorted to a policy of fraud: an calculated escalation to gain popularity, and a deliberate calm to absorb American pressure.
It is a strategy to stay on the edge: no victory is decisive, and no defeat is recognized. Between escalation and dodging, everyone pays the price: the Palestinians first, but also the Israeli establishment that loses the remainder of the world’s confidence in it.
In conclusion, Netanyahu, the ally who is not documented
Netanyahu’s relationship with Washington is no longer based on common values or a unified fate, but rather turned into a daily deal that is managed according to accurate tactical calculations. The Trump administration maintains the diplomatic cover of Israel, but it does not hide its loss of confidence in Bentiana. As for him, he does not stop waving the alliance, while it is maneuvering behind the scenes.
It may be able to temporarily overcome the Gaza crisis, but it leaves behind a turbulent relationship with the White House, a deteriorating international reputation, and an Israeli people who are getting foolishly from its wars and dodges.
In Trump’s second state, there is no place for permanent friendship, but for changing interests by timing. As for Netanyahu, this confusing ally, he realizes well that the American rope that is based on it may turn into a gallows.
The opinions in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al -Jazeera.
