Israel has begun preparing for the possibility of a reduced US role in the Middle East, not by abandoning its historic alliance with Washington, but by seeking greater security independence and expanding its network of regional and international partnerships, according to a report published by Newsweek.
The report, written by Tom O’Connor, Newsweek‘s deputy editor for national security and foreign policy, draws on remarks by Israel’s Consul General in New York, Ofir Akunis, who said Israel’s concerns extend beyond the war with Iran and the waves of instability across the Middle East.
Akunis said ongoing shifts within American politics could eventually threaten the historic alliance between Israel and the United States.
He argued that the rise of political currents in the US that are increasingly critical of Israel and of American military interventions abroad represents a new development for Israel.
While Israelis hope the United States will always remain on their side, Akunis said they will also “need to prepare to be more independent than they have been”.
Building a Wider Network of Alliances
According to Newsweek, this thinking does not mean Israel expects to manage its affairs entirely alone. Instead, it is seeking to build a broader network of relationships and alliances that could give it greater room to manoeuvre if US policy changes.
Akunis said Israel would continue developing alliances with other countries alongside its relationship with Washington.
O’Connor points to Israel’s growing relations with India, Greece and Cyprus, as well as with several Arab states. He also highlights Israeli efforts to expand its presence in other regions, including South America.
The report argues that this reflects a broader shift in Israeli strategic calculations.
Rather than viewing the alliance with Washington as the sole guarantee of its security, Israel is seeking to establish a multi-layered network of political, economic and security partnerships.
The Threats Israel Says It Faces
This shift comes at a time when Israel believes the threats confronting it are not limited to Iran and its allies, but also include changes in the balance of power across the Arab and Muslim worlds.
O’Connor cites Akunis as expressing particular concern about what he described as a “quadrilateral” comprising Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt and Pakistan, especially as defence cooperation between several of those countries deepens.
Türkiye occupies a particularly important place in Israeli calculations, according to Akunis.
Relations between the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have deteriorated sharply in recent years, particularly because of Türkiye’s position on the war in Gaza.
Akunis believes Ankara could eventually emerge as a new challenge for Israel, although he stressed that Iran remains the primary threat Israel believes must be dealt with first.
No Concessions to Iran
On Iran, the Israeli diplomat cautioned against rushing to judge the outcome of the war, noting that the Iranian political system has existed for nearly five decades and that confronting it requires patience.
At the same time, he sent a clear message to US President Donald Trump, urging him to maintain a hard line towards Tehran.
Akunis argued that showing weakness towards Iran could encourage it to continue the confrontation.
He also spoke about the possibility of transforming Gaza into a prosperous region, claiming that the absence of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, could open the way for development.
Akunis further proposed reviving a historic transport route linking Beirut to Cairo through Haifa, Tel Aviv and Gaza before reaching Egypt.
He suggested that such a project could eventually become part of a broader regional network similar to the major transport corridors found across the United States.
