Trump's economic statecraft in the Middle East raises Israel's anxieties

Itinerary excluded Israel, amid apparent divergence of opinion on key challenges

- Bhagyashree Garekar

WASHINGTON - One of the most eye-catching images from President Donald Trump's three-nation Arabian Gulf tour was the sight of Saudi, Emirati and Qatari fighter jets soaring alongside Air Force One, escorting the US presidential plane across the blue skies.

It sent a clear message: Trust between America and its wealthy Gulf partners is deepening.

Notably, Mr Trump's four-day itinerary excluded Israel, a move that has raised brows among foreign policy experts and pro-Israel advocates over the perceived repositioning of the US-Israel relationship.

The tour was viewed with great concern in Israel, said Mr Shalom Lipner, a former official who has served several Israeli premiers - including the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu - at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem.

Impressions matter, he told The Sunday Times. "Even if the President's primary focus is on doing business in the Gulf, not making a stop in Jerusalem is being perceived as a message in itself," said Mr Lipner, who is now a senior fellow at the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative of the Atlantic Council.

The omission, which underscores the apparent divergence of opinion on how best to address regional challenges in Iran, Syria, Yemen and other places, appears all the more surprising given the enduring influence of the powerful and famous pro-Israel lobby in Washington.