Dr. Dalal Erekat: Trump realizes that Netanyahu's continued rule hampers his ambitious project to create a "new regional alliance" that would strengthen American influence in the region.

Dr. Raed Al-Dabai: Confronting Trump could be unexpected and could spell the end of Netanyahu's political career, especially given the volatile Middle East.

Fayez Abbas: Trump has reached a firm conviction that Netanyahu is a "liar and a swindler" who does not keep his promises or make decisions that align with US policy.

Dr. Saeed Shaheen: Zionist influence within the United States is so profound that it makes the idea of severing ties with Israel impossible.

Dr. Suhail Diab: After Trump raised two yellow cards and a potentially devastating red card, Netanyahu may respond by turning the tables.

Muhannad Abdul Hamid: Trump's policy shares with that of Bush Sr. a refusal to submit to blackmail and to control Israel according to American interests through political pressure.

Amidst the unprecedented tensions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and escalating disagreements over strategic visions for the region, the question is whether these are merely personal differences or whether they will impact their historic alliance.

In separate interviews with Al-Quds, writers, political analysts, experts, and university professors explained that Trump seeks to strengthen American influence through new regional alliances, particularly with the Gulf states. However, Netanyahu insists on pursuing hardline policies that conflict with these priorities, which has recently escalated the dispute.

According to writers, analysts, specialists, and university professors, this gap is no longer merely a tactical disagreement, but has become a burden on American interests, prompting Trump to put an end to Netanyahu.

They explain that the crisis of trust between Trump and Netanyahu is evident in several issues, most notably the Iranian issue, where Trump prefers diplomacy while Netanyahu insists on military confrontation. Washington's secret negotiations with Hamas and its agreement with the Houthis without coordination with Israel have dealt strong blows to Netanyahu and revealed his waning influence over US decision-making. These steps reflect a shift in Trump's policy, as he now views Netanyahu as an obstacle to his economic and security deals with countries in the region. They point out that although the strategic alliance between Washington and Tel Aviv remains a solid pillar, Trump's unpredictable personality and his focus on "America First" threaten Netanyahu's political future. With mounting domestic pressure in Israel and his declining popularity, desperation could push him to dangerous escalation, such as strikes against Iran, which would deepen the crisis. Meanwhile, Trump is exploiting this clash to push for a settlement in Gaza that serves his interests, asserting that the era of blind loyalty to Israel without compensation has come to an end.

A personal dispute, not a retreat from the strategic alliance

Dr. Dalal Erekat, professor of diplomacy and conflict resolution at the Arab American University, says that talk of US President Donald Trump cutting off contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reflects a personal disagreement, not a retreat from the strategic alliance between the United States and Israel.

Erekat explains that Trump, who provided unprecedented support for Israel during his first term, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, seeks through this announcement to eliminate Netanyahu as a burden on this alliance.

Erekat points out that the dispute between Trump and Netanyahu is not a recent development, but rather dates back to the beginning of their relationship, when Trump felt Netanyahu was exploiting American support to bolster his domestic political position, while ignoring broader American regional interests.

Erekat points out that Netanyahu's policies amount to "a personal project to remain in power at any cost," and that they have become a threat to Israeli democracy, regional stability, and the prospects for a just peace.

Trump thinks like a businessman and a dealmaker.

Erekat asserts that Netanyahu's continued leadership of Israel not only harms the Palestinians but also hinders the restructuring of strategic relations in the region, especially with the growing domestic and international criticism of his hardline policies.

Analyzing Trump's motives, Erekat explains that the US president thinks like a businessman and dealmaker, viewing Netanyahu as an obstacle to his broader interests with the Gulf states and North Africa.

Erekat points out that these countries view Netanyahu's policies—from continued military escalation and settlement expansion to the thwarting of any political solution—as a major obstacle to achieving comprehensive normalization and regional stability.

Erekat asserts that Trump understands that Netanyahu's continued rule hampers his ambitious project to create a "new regional alliance" that would strengthen American influence in the region. In a historical comparison, Erekat draws parallels between Trump's current position and that of former US President George H.W. Bush, who used economic pressure in 1991 to force Yitzhak Shamir's government to participate in the Madrid Peace Conference. Although Trump's motives are not as principled as Bush's, the goal may be similar: to remove an Israeli leader who is obstructing regional balance.

Netanyahu is a threat to Trump's strategic interests.

Erekat asserts that Trump is working to isolate Netanyahu as a political figure who has become a threat to his broader strategic interests. Erekat calls on the Palestinians and the international community to capitalize on this shift in the American position to advance a genuine peace process based on international legitimacy and UN resolutions, away from temporary settlements that serve personal interests. Erekat asserts that removing Netanyahu from the equation has become an American, Israeli, and Arab necessity, especially in light of his extremist policies that undermine any chance of progress on regional issues. Erekat believes that the international community, particularly Britain and Europe, must take serious action to demand the delineation of the borders of the State of Israel in accordance with international law, as an essential step to reviving the two-state solution, guaranteeing the Palestinians' right to self-determination, and ending the legal exception that has allowed the continuation of occupation and settlement activity. Erekat asserts that removing Netanyahu is no longer just a Palestinian demand, but rather a shared international and Israeli interest in achieving genuine peace that serves the stability of the region, rather than serving the survival of a political leader at the expense of its future. Deep disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu For his part, Dr. Raed Al-Dabai, Head of the Political Science Department at An-Najah National University, said that talk about US President Donald Trump severing contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reveals deep disagreements between the two leaders, without indicating an abandonment of the strategic alliance with Israel, which has remained a functional state serving American interests since its founding. Al-Dabai explains that this disagreement stems from differing views on strategic issues in the Middle East, placing Netanyahu in a fragile political position both domestically and abroad. He points out that the disagreements are manifested in three main axes: first, the Iranian issue, where the Trump administration, with the support of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement, is adopting a flexible approach that opens the door to negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, while Netanyahu insists on a hardline position calling for a direct military strike, considering it an existential necessity for Israel. This contradiction has created a strategic gap between the two sides. Second, according to Al-Dabai, is Trump's sudden decision to cease fire with the Ansar Allah group in Yemen without coordinating with Israel, which has angered Tel Aviv. The MAGA Movement and its Calls for Isolationism. Al-Dabai asserts that US Ambassador Mike Huckabee's statements, indicating that Washington does not need anyone's permission in managing its regional affairs, shocked the Israeli leadership, reinforcing Netanyahu's sense of isolation. Al-Dabai points to the third issue, which is that the influence of the MAGA movement, which advocates an isolationist policy focused on American interests, has led to a rift in relations with traditional allies such as Israel and Europe. This approach has been reflected in ignoring Israeli positions on the Iranian and Palestinian issues. The Trump administration surprised Netanyahu by opening direct channels with Hamas through the special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, without full coordination with Israel. Al-Dabai points out that indications of Washington's temporary acceptance of Hamas's military wing remaining in Gaza in exchange for a hostage exchange deal are a proposal that completely contradicts Netanyahu's priorities and threatens the stability of his government coalition. Al-Dabai points to the threats of ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir to withdraw from the Israeli government, which could lead to the collapse of the government and Netanyahu's political downfall. Al-Dabai believes that Trump's personality as a businessman makes his economic considerations pivotal, as he views Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states as strategic partners capable of pumping massive investments into the US economy. Consequently, Netanyahu is no longer the sole mediator in the region, but has become an obstacle to major US interests. However, Al-Dabai warns against exaggerating expectations of a collapse in the relationship, pointing to Ambassador Huckabee's denial of tensions and his emphasis on the strength of the relationship. Trump is also surrounded by an influential circle of Zionist evangelicals, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Ambassador Huckabee, along with non-Jewish Zionist funders of his campaign, which strengthens support for Israel. George H.W. Bush's Pressure on Shamir Al-Dabai notes that leaks indicate Trump's dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's exploitation of him to perpetuate his rule, reflecting a shift in his view of Netanyahu as a person, rather than necessarily of Israel as a state. In a historical comparison, Al-Dabai sees the current situation as similar to President George H.W. Bush's pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir in the 1990s, when he threatened to withhold loan guarantees to push Israel toward the Madrid Conference. Al-Dabai asserts that history does not repeat itself literally, given the changing circumstances. Today, Netanyahu faces internal pressure from a far-right coalition that limits his maneuvering, a strong opposition that accuses him of failure, and a decline in his popularity in opinion polls. Meanwhile, Trump's policies rely on the MAGA movement, which places American interests above all else, even if they conflict with the historical relationship with Israel. Al-Dabai explains that Netanyahu is trying to leverage his influence through Zionist evangelicals and Trump campaign funders, but his success is not guaranteed, especially with Trump's focus on the "America First" equation. Al-Dabai believes that pressure on Netanyahu will recur, not through financial threats as Bush did, but rather through political and diplomatic isolation, which could accelerate the disintegration of his coalition. Al-Dabai indicates that Netanyahu will confront these pressures fiercely, driven by his desire to preserve his coalition and his far-right ideology, which is not dissimilar to the views of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. However, Al-Dabai warns that confronting Trump, the unpredictable populist president, could spell the end of Netanyahu's political career, especially in light of the volatile Middle East, which increases the risks of any political escalation. Trump has become convinced that Netanyahu is a "liar and a swindler." In turn, writer and expert on Israeli affairs Fayez Abbas asserts that US President Donald Trump has firmly established that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a "liar and a swindler," who does not fulfill his promises or make decisions that align with US policy. Abbas explains that this impression was reinforced in Trump after Netanyahu refused to reach a deal to return detainees and stop the war, despite pressure from Trump. This led him to view Netanyahu as unserious and uncommitted to his commitments. Abbas notes that, based on this assessment, Trump decided to cut off contact with Netanyahu, believing that the latter puts his personal interests above those of the United States. Abbas notes that Netanyahu was shocked by Trump's unexpected decisions, especially his agreement with the Houthis in Yemen to halt bombing in exchange for protecting US ships. Trump described the Houthi leaders as "trustworthy and courageous." This statement, according to Abbas, angered Netanyahu, but he chose to remain silent rather than criticize Trump. Abbas explains that the current situation differs from the era of President George H.W. Bush, who threatened to cut off financial aid to Israel to force it to attend the Madrid Conference in 1991. Trump Doesn't Stop at Threats Abbas explains that Trump, unlike Bush, doesn't stop at threats, but rather makes direct decisions that harm Israel's interests, such as conducting direct negotiations with Iran on the nuclear issue, refusing to lift customs duties on Israeli goods, and reaching an agreement with the Houthis. Most notable, according to Abbas, is the United States conducting secret negotiations with Hamas leaders regarding detainees without Israel's knowledge, a move he describes as a "resounding slap in the face" to Netanyahu. Abbas notes that Trump has canceled the proposal for normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, asserting that Riyadh will obtain a civilian nuclear reactor without Israel's involvement in this deal. Trump has also decided to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip without Israel's approval, which has so far refused to allow the entry of this aid. Abbas asserts that these decisions reflect a radical shift in Trump's policy, as he reorganizes his regional priorities away from supporting Netanyahu, presenting Israel with unprecedented strategic challenges. Trump-Netanyahu disputes transcend politics and become personal. For his part, Dr. Saeed Shaheen, a professor of political media at Hebron University, believes that the escalating crisis between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu transcends politics and becomes personal, without compromising the organic alliance between the United States and Israel. He points out that Trump's unusual avoidance of visiting Israel reinforces this hypothesis. Shaheen notes that signs of this tension emerged during Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington, where Trump's reception was unusually lukewarm, highlighting economic and political differences between the two men. Shaheen explains that leaks published by the newspaper "Israel Hayom" confirmed the existence of a crisis between the two leaderships, rather than between the two countries, given the intertwined relationship between Israel and the United States, supported by the influence of Zionist lobbies within America. Shaheen points out that statements by US Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Mike Huckabee, attempted to mitigate the severity of this crisis for Israeli society, especially with the approaching agreement with Iran and the conclusion of an agreement with the Ansar Allah group in Yemen without Netanyahu's involvement. Trump sees Netanyahu as arrogant. Shaheen asserts that the expected announcement on Monday, ahead of Trump's visit to the region, regarding a plan to stop the war in Gaza, reflects Netanyahu's loss of trust with the US administration. Shaheen explains that Trump views Netanyahu as an arrogant man seeking to serve his personal interests at the expense of American interests, while Trump focuses on concluding economic and political deals that enhance US influence and financial gains. Shaheen notes that this disagreement complicates the relationship between two leaders who hold conflicting visions: Netanyahu seeks to continue the war to ensure his political survival, while Trump pushes for a de-escalation of the conflict to achieve his economic goals. In a historical comparison, Shaheen suggests that the current situation may resemble the strained relations between Israel and the US in the 1990s during the presidency of Bush Sr., who froze financial support to Israel to halt settlement construction. Settling Conflicts to Make Deals Shaheen points out that Zionist influence within the United States today is much deeper than during the era of George H.W. Bush, coupled with unprecedented American support for Israel, including diplomatic, military, and economic protection for its crimes in Gaza and the West Bank, makes the idea of disengaging from Israel impossible. However, Shaheen asserts that Trump's volatile personality and unique charisma make any scenario possible, including dramatic shifts in the relationship between him and Netanyahu. Shaheen asserts that Trump's economic mindset focuses on settling conflicts to make deals, which is evident in his efforts to stop the war in Gaza through diplomatic means, as US envoy Steve Witkoff pointed out. In contrast, Netanyahu relies on the continuation of the war to strengthen his political survival, widening the gap between the two men and threatening to complicate US-Israeli relations in the near future. The conflict between American and Israeli priorities Professor of Political Science and expert on Israeli affairs, Dr. Suhail Diab says that the unprecedented tensions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could escalate into a "seismic" clash, surpassing the crisis of the Madrid Conference between US President George H.W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir. Diab explains that the dispute stems from a conflict between US and Israeli priorities, which presents Netanyahu with difficult choices that could force him to "turn the tables" through dangerous escalation such as attacking Iranian nuclear or economic targets or carrying out extraordinary assassinations, should he be faced with additional yellow cards that could escalate to a devastating red card. Diab points out that current Israeli priorities include eliminating Hamas, recovering Israeli prisoners, striking the Iranian nuclear reactor, and finally reaching a normalization agreement with the Gulf states. In contrast, US priorities, according to Diab, focus on concluding a strategic economic and security deal with the Gulf states, exhausting diplomacy to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran, and calming the hotspots in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. The current crisis differs from previous ones. According to Diab, this conflict prompted Trump to raise two "yellow cards" to Netanyahu: the first when he summoned him to the White House to discuss Israeli-Iranian talks, and the second when he concluded an agreement with the Houthis to halt mutual attacks without coordinating with Israel, which Netanyahu considered a strategic transgression. Diab asserts that the current crisis differs from previous ones because it emerges from a position of American weakness, as the United States needs to improve its economy, conclude deals with Saudi Arabia, de-escalate the Middle East, and pursue advanced diplomacy on the Iranian issue. Diab explains that Netanyahu's failure to align with Trump's vision could harm American strategic interests regionally and internationally, as evidenced by the US-Houthi agreement, which was reached without taking the Israeli position into account. Diab asserts that Netanyahu's options are virtually nonexistent domestically and abroad, as abandoning Trump's umbrella would expose Israel to unprecedented local, regional, and international risks. Diab believes that continued tensions may push Trump to raise a "red card" by imposing a deal on Gaza that does not satisfy Israel. This would present Netanyahu with two options: either sacrifice his coalition and political future, or "turn the tables" through a dangerous escalation against Iran, which is likely. Netanyahu may reshuffle the cards. Diab points out that Trump's personality, known for political manipulation and sharp reactions, makes the potential clash more severe than any previous crisis, including humiliating Netanyahu beyond what happened with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Diab believes that Netanyahu, motivated by preserving his coalition, his far-right ideology, and his personal interests, may resort to radical options to reshuffle the cards and perhaps launch strikes against Iran and carry out assassinations inside it, threatening to destabilize the region. Diab asserts that this crisis, with its personal and strategic nature, represents a turning point that could reshape US-Israeli relations in an unprecedented way. A tactical dispute that does not touch the essence of the strategic relationship. Journalist Muhannad Abdel Hamid asserts that the escalating tensions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and reports by Israeli media outlets, such as Army Radio and Channel 14, regarding Trump's decision to cut off contact with Netanyahu due to the latter's manipulative policy, while the dispute is tactical and does not touch the essence of the strategic relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, reflect a clear conflict between Trump's and Netanyahu's priorities, placing the latter in a weak position vis-à-vis the US administration. Abdel Hamid points out that Trump, as White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt stated, is focusing on the release of the Israeli hostages in Gaza as a top priority and has angered Netanyahu by announcing the deaths of three hostages, breaking with Israeli tradition. Abdel Hamid notes that Netanyahu and his extremist government are adopting a policy of escalating the war in Gaza, which aims to expel the population, reoccupy the Strip, build settlements, and annex the West Bank. This puts the lives of the hostages at risk, which is inconsistent with Trump's vision. Abdul Hamid asserts that the Trump administration places great importance on reaching a truce, releasing prisoners, and delivering humanitarian aid before his upcoming visit to the region, through which he is betting on attracting investments and arms deals worth trillions of dollars from the Gulf states. Trump has the upper hand. Abdul Hamid explains that Trump has the upper hand in this dispute, especially since his positions align with the desire of 61% of Israelis, according to opinion polls, to support a prisoner exchange deal and a ceasefire, and with the position of the Israeli opposition, which opposes any planned military attack. Abdul Hamid notes that Netanyahu has a habit of blackmailing the previous US administration by rejecting or obstructing its initiatives without facing consequences, even during Trump's first term. He imposed his vision of excluding the Palestinian issue from the Abraham Accords, annexing Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and formulating the "Deal of the Century" with the input of a hardline right-wing Israeli faction. Netanyahu also refused to include a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a Saudi agreement that the Biden administration was working on, leading to the region's explosion, its destabilization, and the emptying of the peace agreements of their Kissinger-inspired geopolitical and economic content. Abdul Hamid asserts that Netanyahu's selfish interests, which focus on the continuation of the war in Gaza, settlement expansion in the West Bank, a military solution with Iran, and continued escalation in Lebanon and Syria, aim to establish him as the undisputed leader in Israel and prevent the collapse of his government or his trial and imprisonment. However, according to Abdul Hamid, these interests conflict with the goals of Trump, who seeks huge economic gains from the Gulf after his failure in the global customs battle. Decisive Steps to Curb Netanyahu Abdul Hamid explains that to curtail Netanyahu, Trump has taken decisive steps: First, he concluded an agreement with the Houthis to stop the clashes without coordinating with Israel; second, he warned Netanyahu that he would be left alone if he did not support an agreement in Gaza; third, he abandoned the condition of Saudi-Israeli normalization in US-Saudi deals, including nuclear cooperation; and fourth, he continued negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program in a manner that serves American interests, contrary to Netanyahu's desire for a decisive military victory. Abdul Hamid emphasizes that Trump's policy shares with that of Bush Sr. his refusal to submit to Israeli blackmail and his efforts to control Israel in accordance with American interests through political pressure. Abdul Hamid asserts that these steps contradict the prevailing belief that US decisions are subject to the Israeli government, presenting Netanyahu with an unprecedented challenge that could reshape the dynamics of the US-Israeli relationship in the region.