The Erosion of US-Israeli Ties: A Trump-Brokered Meeting Too Little, Too Late?

The back-to-back meetings between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday were a stark reminder of the strained relationship between these leaders. The tension was palpable at the White House, a far cry from the special bond they once shared.

Netanyahu’s visit to the Oval Office marked his first since the joint military campaign against Iran in February 2022. As expected, he faced intense protests outside the White House, with chants of “Bibi, you’re not welcome here” and “Netanyahu, you’re a tyrant.” This outpouring of dissent highlights the waning support for Israel among the US public.

Trump’s approval ratings have been plummeting, while Netanyahu faces his own challenges at home. A tough re-election fight looms on the horizon, and repairing his relationship with Trump is crucial to salvaging his position. However, Tuesday’s meeting only served to highlight their differences, particularly when it comes to Iran. Trump has pursued a diplomatic opening with Tehran, which puts him at odds with Netanyahu, who remains committed to confronting Iran militarily.

The Israeli prime minister’s efforts to keep the US involved in Lebanon and Gaza are being met with resistance from Trump, who seems increasingly disengaged from the conflict. According to a White House official, Netanyahu’s briefing on Iranian activity was seen as an attempt to “keep him [Trump] involved.”

Zelenskyy arrived in Washington seeking more firepower for Ukraine’s air defenses, but the US commitment remains unclear. Despite his statement hinting at renewed support, the devil is always in the details. A recent poll shows a sharp decline in support for Israel among the US public, which should serve as a wake-up call for Netanyahu and Trump.

The accusations of genocide against Palestinians are mounting, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that Israel’s conduct in Gaza has consequences – not just for its relations with the US but also for its own legitimacy. Tuesday’s meeting may have been an attempt to put on a united front, but it ultimately felt like too little, too late. The underlying tensions between these leaders are still simmering beneath the surface, and only time will tell whether they can be resolved before it’s too late.