Part 6/12:
The recent absence of a presidential visit to Israel during Biden’s Middle East tour, combined with the lack of overt support for aggressive Israeli measures, reflects subtle tensions. Biden has prioritized diplomatic engagement with Gulf countries like Qatar, which some Israeli officials view with suspicion due to past financial ties to Hamas.
Additionally, Biden has bypassed Israel in negotiations with other regional actors, such as the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, raising questions about the U.S. approach to regional diplomacy. These moves have ruffled some feathers among Israeli leaders, who are sensitive to perceived lack of full U.S. backing during a volatile time.