Politico: Israel no longer seen as exceptional US ally

Israel is no longer viewed by the United States as an ally with exceptional political status amid growing dissatisfaction with the policies of the Israeli leadership, Politico reports, citing sources.

As evidence of Washington's shifting approach toward Israel, the publication pointed to remarks by US Vice President JD Vance, who said Israel has “no friends left in the world, and that it should think hard before turning on the one it has.”

According to the sources, Vance's comments reflect a broader reality in which Israel's status as a US ally is no longer considered above all other priorities.

Other sources told Politico that direct contacts between the leadership of the two countries have also declined, including fewer phone conversations and reduced preparations for high-level visits.

An Israeli political adviser noted that the government had expected President Donald Trump's America First foreign policy to continue making a special exception for Israel.

"That was never going to hold. We were never going to be able to stay for four years as an exception to everything else America does in its foreign policy," the adviser said. "When the clash came, Israel was naive to think that we would be able to be exempt from those expectations."

Signs of cooler relations have become increasingly apparent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Washington five times in 2025.

This year, he has visited only once, in February, and no additional White House meetings have been scheduled.

A person familiar with contacts between the two governments also said phone conversations have become significantly less frequent.

"I don't think we've reached the worst place possible," the person said. "There's more to come."

The individuals interviewed, like others cited in the report, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive aspects of the bilateral relationship.

The White House, however, said relations between the United States and Israel remain strong.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov