Tel Aviv, Israel – In a sharp critical reading of the political scene, the Hebrew newspaper “Haaretz” highlighted a fundamental shift in Israeli-American relations. The newspaper considered that Israel had lost its status as a “full partner” of the United States, becoming in the eyes of Washington a “rebellious follower.” This is especially evident in light of the deep differences over the Iranian file. The newspaper confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has completely lost his ability to influence the decisions of President Donald Trump. She also described him as “completely incapable” of obstructing new American trends.
Historical comparison: between 2015 and today
The newspaper draws a striking comparison between 2015, when Netanyahu addressed Congress in a blatant challenge to the Obama administration to obstruct the nuclear agreement with Tehran, and the current situation.
Back then, Netanyahu successfully garnered full Republican support. This was achieved with the backing of pro-Israel lobbying groups.
Today, however, the rules of the game have changed. The Trump administration is seeking a new agreement with Iran, ignoring Israeli objections and effectively excluding Tel Aviv from the negotiating table. This represents a departure from the traditional approach of maintaining a facade of alignment between the two allies.
The decline of AIPAC
In a related development, the newspaper revealed that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)—once considered the most powerful lobbying group—has become a “hated brand.”
AIPAC’s support is no longer an electoral asset, but rather a liability that American politicians are trying to avoid. The organization now faces harsh criticism not only from the pro-Palestinian left, but also from within the isolationist right wing of the Republican Party. This wing has begun to adopt a discourse that distances itself from the close ties with Israel.
Party and geopolitical shift
Haaretz points out that the decline in American support for Israel is no longer just a temporary phenomenon, but a long-term trend:
Within the Republican Party: A new current has emerged that does not view Israel as a privileged ally. The newspaper cited warnings from leading figures, such as Vice President J.D. Vance, that American support for Israel “is not a given.”
Within the Democratic Party: Some candidates adopted hardline positions. Their stances ranged from demanding an end to unconditional military aid to calls from the progressive wing for sanctions. Some also called for an arms embargo against Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu and the new political reality
The newspaper concluded that policymakers in both American parties increasingly view Israel as a “political nuisance” rather than an asset. It attributes this decline to several factors, including a diminishing American appetite for military involvement in the Middle East and widespread public discontent with the ongoing war in Gaza.
While the newspaper holds Benjamin Netanyahu largely responsible for this deterioration in relations, its analysis asserts that the era in which the Israeli prime minister boasted of his ability to “engineer” American decisions from within Washington is irrevocably over.
Haaretz concludes with a bleak assessment of the Israeli reality in Washington. Public sympathy for Israel is plummeting to historic lows, amidst an American political landscape increasingly detached from Israel’s hardline priorities and policies.
