The phone call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two nights ago, was described by most Israeli media outlets as favourable, particularly regarding the Iranian issue. It did not, however, dispel the prevailing impression in Israel that there is a negative change in America’s Middle East strategy, notably toward the occupying state. This impression, which extends to circles close to the government, stems primarily from the collapse of a long-held assumption that the US administration will always stand by Israel, and perhaps even be in its pocket. This impression has formed after a series of unilateral steps taken by the Trump administration without consulting or obtaining Israel’s approval.

These steps specifically include: the agreement signed by the Trump administration with the Houthis in Yemen, which did not impose a red light on the continued firing of missiles at Israel, the embrace of what Israel describes as “former Islamists” in Syria, the embrace of Turkiye and Qatar; and the rush to reach an agreement with Iran, which, according to most Israeli readings, would allow it to almost completely maintain its nuclear........

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