Normally a staunch supporter of Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not visit the key US ally on his tour of the three Arab states in the Persian Gulf, in what analysts described as yet another snub of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid negotiations with Iran.
US President Donald Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the Israeli leader, primarily over Israel’s actions in Lebanon, where clashes between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia have threatened the nascent agreement.
Today, a key visit to the Middle East that would normally include a stop in Israel is underway — without Netanyahu’s input.
“The fact that Rubio is not arriving to Israel again shows that there is a tension between the US and Israel,” Danny Citrinowitz, former head of the Iran branch of Israel’s military intelligence, told CNN. The move “highlighted the fact that the US does not see Israel as a part of negotiations toward an agreement, but they definitely see the Gulf states” as part of it, he added.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio’s trip was meant to thank Persian Gulf allies for their support and mark the resumption of operations at the US Embassy in Kuwait.
“Secretary Rubio has been to Israel as secretary multiple times, and speaks with officials from Israel often, as he does with our partners and allies across the region,” Pigott said.
Though the Israeli leader has been largely silent on the deal, pro-Netanyahu media figures have ripped the agreement, which could lead to the easing of economic sanctions on Tehran while delaying talks on the issues that were Israel’s declared war goals — including Iran’s nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal.
Yossi Mekelberg, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Program at the Chatham House think tank in London, told CNN that Israel is dealing with a “flip-flopping” administration that operates on what serves its interests best.
Experts have said that Israel more than once emerged as a potential spoiler in the US-Iran agreement, leading to sharp rebukes from both Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.
The implication is that Netanyahu “is not a player in negotiations,” Mekelberg said, even if he pretends to be.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler contributed reporting to this post.
The post Netanyahu snubbed again by Trump as Rubio skips Israel on regional visit appeared first on Egypt Independent.
