Israel Watches Vance Warily as U.S. Tensions Rise After Iran Campaign

At the start of Operation Lion's Roar, Israeli-American cooperation over the campaign against Iran appeared to be at its strongest. Four months later, however, after a deal with Tehran and a series of comments by President Donald Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance, reports say tension is growing between Jerusalem and Washington.

An Israeli political adviser said Israel had expected Trump's America First policy to spare it, but that assumption could not hold for long, especially after the confrontation with Iran. In Politico, Vance was quoted criticizing Israel's leadership unusually sharply, saying Trump is the only world leader currently showing sympathy for Israel. He also referred to the U.S. role in Israel's security and hinted that American support should not be taken for granted.

According to the report, a source close to Vance said the vice president sees weakening support for Israel among parts of the U.S. public, including younger Republicans. Politico also said Vance has long believed Israeli and American interests do not always align, and that Washington should not be drawn into a conflict with Iran on Israel's behalf.

Trump himself has also sounded more critical of Israel recently. The report said he expressed frustration over Israeli actions in Lebanon, saying they harmed talks with Iran. Nathan Sachs of the Middle East Institute in Washington said Israelis recognize the tension with the United States, but do not fully grasp how deep the change in relations has become. Politico added that the Prime Minister's Office is trying to direct criticism at Vance rather than Trump, in the belief that the current state of relations could still change. The backdrop also includes U.S. domestic politics, especially the midterm elections and Vance's own political future.