Vance is not the problem.. Israel is facing a profound shift in American policy policy

The Politico website discussed the escalating tension in relations between the United States and Israel, and said that it is not limited to the positions of US Vice President J.D. Vance, but rather reflects a deeper shift in American policy towards Israel under the administration of President Donald Trump.

The website explained – in a joint article between Felicia Schwartz, Alex Gangitano, and Dasha Burns – that the Israeli government believed that Trump’s return to the White House would ensure the continuation of absolute American support, and that Israel would remain an exception to the “America First” policy, but it began to realize that this perception no longer existed, and that American interests were being advanced, even when they conflicted with Israel’s security and political priorities.

The article indicated that this transformation clearly emerged after the joint American and Israeli strikes on Iran last February, as Tel Aviv expected that this operation would represent the beginning of a new phase of rapprochement with Washington, but the following months revealed increasing differences between the two sides.

J.D. Vance’s statements came to embody this new reality, when he warned Israel that it had lost most of its allies in the world, and that it should not neglect its support for President Trump, whom he described as the only leader who still stands by its side, hinting that this support is not guaranteed forever.

Vance’s position is not an isolated one

According to officials and informed sources, Vance’s statements were not an individual position, but rather reflect a growing vision within the American administration, based on the fact that Israel no longer enjoys an exceptional position in American foreign policy.

The facts also indicate a noticeable decline in the level of political communication between the two countries, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visits to Washington decreased, and direct contacts with the White House declined compared to last year, at a time when informed sources expect the gap between the two sides to widen during the coming period.

The shift in Vance’s speech does not reflect a passing disagreement between officials, but rather represents a reformulation of the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, which may have far-reaching effects on the policies of the two countries in the coming years.

The article linked this shift to the growing influence of Vance within the administration, after he had previously been seen as having extremist positions that did not reflect the general trend. However, for years he stressed that the interests of the United States do not always coincide with the interests of Israel, and that Washington should not be drawn into a confrontation with Iran in defense of it.

With Vance’s involvement in the negotiations on the Iranian file, it seemed that his vision became more influential in American decision-making, especially since the agreement with Tehran serves the administration’s goals of reducing oil prices and securing navigation in the Gulf, while it does not dispel Israeli concerns related to the Iranian missile program and Tehran’s regional influence.

The article also highlights a change in the tone of President Trump himself towards the Israeli Prime Minister, as he directed sharp criticism at him because of the Israeli military operations in Lebanon, considering that they threaten American efforts to reach an understanding with Iran.

Reframe the relationship

Analysts believe that this position reflects a fundamental difference in priorities. While Washington considers that the success of the diplomatic track with Iran serves its strategic interests, Israel believes that the threats coming from Iran and Lebanon represent a security priority that cannot be postponed or underestimated.

Despite this, the Israeli government is still trying to deal with the crisis as related to the person of Vance rather than a shift in the US administration’s policy, and it is still continuing to bet on the possibility of regaining full support from Trump.

However, those close to the Vice President confirm that his positions are consistent with the President’s orientations, and that the criticism directed by Trump against Netanyahu, whether in public or in closed meetings, confirms the existence of a consensus between the President and his Vice President regarding the need to reformulate the relationship with Israel in a way that is consistent with American interests.

The article concluded by noting that these transformations come at a time when both the United States and Israel are preparing for important electoral elections, making the relationship between the two countries a candidate for further tension, as Netanyahu is counting on clear support from Trump before the Israeli elections, while Vance seeks to consolidate his position within the Republican Party in preparation for the upcoming presidential elections.

The article believes that this shift does not reflect a passing disagreement between officials, but rather represents a reformulation of the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, which may have long-term effects on the policies of the two countries in the coming years.