The unprecedented sidelining of Israel by its ally

The “great deal,” known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was designed to differentiate it from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that Obama initiated, which Trump has criticized for a decade. However, this new agreement is just as harmful to Israel as the JCPOA was. To grasp the impulsiveness and superficial understanding behind a 14-point plan that excludes Israel, one must consider Trump’s character. He is like the friend who promises to stand by you until something better comes along. In this situation, Trump not only marginalized Israel but also publicly embarrassed Netanyahu, his most staunch ally, in the process.

Trump’s exaggerated rhetoric is not unusual; however, his current antagonistic stance towards an ally that fought alongside the U.S. for four months while facing multiple attacks is disconcerting. While the alliance between the U.S. and Israel is undoubtedly crucial for regional stability, Israel must also prioritize its own autonomy and security. Trump’s relationship with Israel resembles a father-son dynamic, or so Trump thinks. Yet, as we’ve seen in recent days, this relationship can become dangerously toxic. This toxicity was evident in his bombastic comments about Israel’s Prime Minister, who has consistently supported Trump, often at his own expense. Even Trump’s loyal allies, such as ¹Mark Levin—whom Trump appointed to the Homeland Security Advisory Council in 2025—have criticized Trump’s recent hyperbole against Netanyahu and, to some extent, Israel.

Trump’s arrogance and boastful social media posts are not unusual; they are integral to his persona and his support base. What is worrying, however, is his erratic approach to foreign policy. The conflict with Iran, which he initiated, only gained traction due to Israel’s unwavering commitment. None of the European nations wanted to get involved, and the Arab states chimed in because they were under attack. Ultimately, it was Israel, and Israel alone, that remained steadfast in Trump’s vision, even while facing attacks during ceasefires and negotiation talks.

It has become clear that the MOU was primarily about the United States acquiring assets in the region rather than effectively neutralizing threats to Israel and the surrounding area. While it is true that Trump campaigned on an “America First” platform, if he were truly a skilled dealmaker, he could have balanced economic interests in the region with Israel’s well-being. Israel’s stake is its very existence; it cannot rely on half-hearted solutions that only provide temporary relief from Iran’s proxies or its nuclear capabilities. Unlike the United States, which may be seeking negotiation, Israel is focused on securing a genuine and lasting solution.

If we reflect on the past eight months, we see that, except for Venezuela, there has been little success in any of the “deals” that Mr. Trump claimed to have made. Following his historic trip to Israel, intended to release hostages and launch a 20-point plan to end the Gaza conflict, Hamas has not disarmed and continues to maintain control. As ²Nicholay Mladenov, the Board of Peace (BOP) representative in Gaza, acknowledged, Hamas currently holds military and administrative control over half of Gaza’s territory. The reality is that the promised 20-point solution has not progressed or materialized. Moreover, the ambiguity of the plan was never addressed or scrutinized, and true to form, Trump moved on to “solve” another crisis—this time, one he created.

Trump’s short-term attention span leaves unanswered questions and, more seriously, unresolved problems. One of the complaints of the BOP remains the nebulous ²“aims and objectives” and its top-heavy structure with Trump as the self-appointed permanent Chairperson, and members who have very little time for the endeavor. Of course, some²UN agencies also complained that there is little Palestinian representation except for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). These are 15 Palestinian technocrats allegedly prepared to oversee the recovery of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority (PA) takes over. However, it’s difficult to have confidence that the PA will effectively manage the situation, especially given that it has struggled to maintain control over Hamas for the past 21 years.

As we have come to expect for the past four months, Trump boasted that his “deal” would distinguish itself from Obama’s. Not to be outdone in the realm of exaggeration, ⁴Vance made the media rounds to claim that the deal is the best for America, regardless of whether Israel agrees. He further stated that while the two countries share common goals, their individual interests may “diverge.” We can attribute Mr. Vance’s misunderstanding to his youth, as anyone who has been following these issues for the past five decades knows that Israel’s interests have never truly diverged. Israel’s interests have remained consistent over the years: ensuring security from terrorist proxies and the hostile Arab states that surround it.

To provide some context, the JCPOA was established by the Obama administration in 2015 to limit Iran’s nuclear program. As part of this agreement, funds were released, and inspections were conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure Iran’s compliance. According to ⁴Vance, the current deal is an improvement over Obama’s because it includes enhanced verification measures for non-nuclear proliferation. However, it seems that Vance may not recall that a significant issue with the original agreement was the verification process. The IAEA often faced refusals of entry to facilities, and Iran’s reporting was frequently misleading, undermining the credibility of the agreement itself.

An examination of past reports from the ⁵IAEA reveals that Iran has never demonstrated a strong commitment to honesty or to adherence to agreements. Since 2003, Iran has manipulated the IAEA by failing to fully report or comply with UN Security Council safeguard agreements and IAEA investigations. As of 2018, Iran had not disclosed nuclear resources and materials related to its nuclear program that existed before 2003 and the subsequent nuclear safeguard agreement. Between 2019 and 2020, the IAEA reported on three undeclared Iranian nuclear sites.

Such blatant deceit should not have been overlooked by any administration, and it certainly should not be ignored by the Trump administration. The critical question remains: How does the Trump administration plan to ensure Iranian compliance and prevent the proliferation of nuclear military power? It seems that the MOU will again ask for the IAEA, the same organization that could not verify the 2015 nuclear proliferation agreement. As ⁶Jonathan Tobin, editor-in-chief of Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), points out, both the original and current agreements rely on Tehran’s assurances and commitments, rendering them “equally meaningless.”

⁹In a surprising turn of events, the MOU that was originally scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on June 19 was instead signed in Paris, with President Macron acting as a witness. The reasons for this quick signing and the departure from the original plan remain unclear, but the key points of the agreement have been disclosed. Notably, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by Iran did not even rank among the top three priorities; it is listed as number eight. ⁹The top priorities include cessation of hostilities, respect for Iran’s sovereignty, achieving a final deal within 60 days, removal of international blockade, opening the Hormuz Strait, releasing “reconstruction” funds, and halting sanctions. Essentially, Iran is granted concessions before discussions about its nuclear weapons take place. One might not have grasped the flawed nature of this agreement while listening to Trump, who stated that he would bomb Iran again if it did not comply. Why wouldn’t they comply?

According to ⁷Factually, an independent fact-checking site, when the Trump administration dismantled the JCPOA in 2018 and reinstated sanctions, Iran largely ignored restrictions, including the 3.67% cap on enrichment and the 300 kg limit on its uranium stockpile. Furthermore, Iran resumed enrichment at sites previously restricted by the IAEA and accelerated its enrichment activities, significantly reducing the time required for a “breakout” to nuclear capability.

A tongue-in-cheek article by ⁸Lee Smith in Tablet humorously depicted Trump as a student copying Obama’s answer on a school test. While this may seem amusing, ⁸Trump’s mocking of Obama and the pallets of cash delivered on a Boeing 757 appear rather juvenile, especially considering that the ⁸United Arab Emirates (UAE) allegedly released $20 billion in frozen assets, with an initial $3 billion already in Tehran. Despite ⁴Vance’s loud and boisterous claim that Iran will not receive a single penny of U.S. taxpayers’ money unless it complies, the MOU commitment pattern continues to resemble that of 2015.

While Trump has significantly weakened Iran’s navy and air force, he has not dismantled the Revolutionary Guard or the IRGC. These forces have little to lose and are unlikely to make any concessions of power. Meanwhile, Israel finds itself marginalized and limited in its ability to effectively defend itself, especially as part of an agreement from which it was excluded. ⁹The first point of the MOU is the cessation of all fighting, which includes Lebanon. This is particularly troubling for Israel, as it has faced attacks from Hezbollah even during ceasefires. Restricting Israel’s ability to defend itself without any prior consultation is not only disconcerting but also fundamentally wrong.

¹Mark Levin expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s provocative comments about Netanyahu. Trump suggested that Netanyahu is difficult to work with, seemingly overlooking that Netanyahu’s primary responsibility is to protect his country. Trump’s arrogance crossed a line when he implied that Netanyahu should be grateful to him for saving Israel from destruction. Perhaps Trump should consider spending a day in Israel during a missile attack, running to a shelter with his family, and wishing for the noise and chaos to end. Mr. Trump, Israel has been defending itself for decades without any assistance from you.

Israel often seems to draw the short straw in conflicts. Even in the current situation, it is dealing with multiple fronts while still supporting the United States against Iran. In a difficult turn of events, Israel has not only been sidelined but has also become hostage to a precarious agreement that appears unattainable. Regardless of who occupies the White House or claims to be its ally, Israel cannot afford to hold back its defenses. Presidents come and go, but Israel remains steadfast in its commitment to survival as a democracy and, more importantly, as the only Jewish state in the world.

¹World Israel News. June 15, 2026. Trump ally Mark Levin slams president’s criticism of Netanyahu | World Israel News

²Evans, M. (May 23, 2026). Trump’s Board of Peace struggles to progress beyond far-from-perfect ceasefire in Gaza. Trump’s Board of Peace struggles to progress beyond far-from-perfect ceasefire in Gaza | CBC News

³Jerusalem Post Staff. June 9, 2026. Donald Trump: ‘Total victory’ will be achieved over Iran within two weeks | The Jerusalem Post

⁴Times of Israel Staff. June 9, 2026. Vance: Iran deal a ‘home run for the American people,’ whether Israel likes it or not | The Times of Israel

⁵Arms Control Association. May 2026. IAEA Investigations of Iran’s Nuclear Activities IAEA Investigations of Iran’s Nuclear Activities | Arms Control Association

⁶Tobin, J. June 15, 2026. Trump’s chaos and incoherence have led to failure on Iran – Israel & Jewish News – JNS

⁷What Did the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal Permit and Restrict About Uranium Enrichment? n.d Factually. https://factually.co/fact-checks/politics/jcpoa-2015-uranium-enrichment-permissions-restrictions-27e54c

⁸Smith, L. June 13, 2026. Tablet. Donald Trump’s Pallets of Cash – Tablet Magazine

⁹Sky News. June 18, 2026. Iran war latest: US and Tehran sign deal designed to end war – but Trump warns why he could still attack | World News | Sky News