In a sharp departure from the very policy he once championed, President Donald Trump has quietly removed a key requirement in U.S.-Saudi nuclear negotiations: normalization with Israel.
According to a bombshell Reuters report citing sources close to the talks, the Trump administration is no longer insisting that Saudi Arabia recognize the Jewish state as a precondition for advancing civil nuclear cooperation — a move that could signal a troubling shift in the region’s diplomatic balance.
The reversal comes just days before Trump is set to visit Riyadh, where he’s expected to finalize a series of high-stakes agreements with the kingdom. The change not only marks a major U.S. concession but also raises eyebrows, given Trump’s long-standing assertion that he is “the most pro-Israel president in history.”
Under the Biden administration, nuclear cooperation with Riyadh was carefully tied to a broader package that included a U.S.-Saudi defense pact and Saudi recognition of Israel — part of an effort to expand on Trump’s own Abraham Accords. But those talks sputtered amid rising Arab anger over the Gaza war and Saudi insistence that no normalization would occur without a path to Palestinian statehood.
Trump’s new posture suggests a pragmatic — or some would say cynical — shift. By decoupling the nuclear talks from Israeli recognition, Trump appears to be prioritizing strategic deals and economic gains over diplomatic solidarity with Jerusalem.
“When we have something to announce, you’ll hear it from the President,” said National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt, offering little clarity.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has hinted at creative solutions to satisfy non-proliferation safeguards, including a potential “black box” uranium enrichment arrangement — but sources say a final agreement remains distant. Saudi Arabia has resisted a standard Section 123 agreement, which would restrict enrichment and reprocessing, both seen as potential paths to nuclear weaponization.
The kingdom’s energy ambitions, economic diversification goals, and regional rivalries — especially with Iran — make the stakes enormous.
Compounding Israeli unease, Vice President JD Vance told Reuters that talks with Iran are progressing and could lead to Tehran’s reintegration into the global economy — another red flag for Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Trump is pressing for massive Saudi investments in the U.S., reportedly urging Riyadh to raise its commitment from $600 billion to a staggering $1 trillion. A multibillion-dollar U.S. arms package is also on the table.
This marks Trump’s second foreign trip since returning to the Oval Office — and though it recalls his lavish 2017 visit to Riyadh, the policy signals emanating from this journey may be far more ominous for Israel.
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11 Responses
You sound surprised. What is the chidush? This is the man who died with Kanye and Fuentes, the man who called people marching with neo-nazi’s very fine people, the man who repeatedly cursed Bibi. This man just invited Proud Boys leafer Enrique Tarrio who is a rabid antisemite to Mar A Lago. This man promised America first and couldn’t care less about historic alliances. This man has no higher value than his inflated ego. Sadly his Frum MAGA minions decided to blindly delude themselves. Voting for a unrepentant insurrectionist who spreads vile lies about immigrants and promises to tariff the world is not smart.
I’m no Trump fan but even is this article is true, Israel is still a LOT better off with him than Kamala Harris. If she were president the news would be about arms embargos to Israel and far worse Iran deals.
“Sadly his Frum MAGA minions decided to blindly delude themselves”.
What was the alternative?
@smerl – The only reason Yidden (including those IN Eretz Yisroel and those in Chutz la’Aretz) would have been better off with Ms. Harris is that with her as the President we would have continued davenning to HKB”H instead of relying on The Savior Trump. I voted for Mr. Trump as well, and do not regret having done so. Nonetheless, this proves that “al tivtichu . . . ” and “tov lachasos ba’Shem . . .”
There were many good alternatives during the primaries. Yet all too many eagerly donned their red MAGA hats
The Biden administration did more for Israel than any other government in the world. Unprecedented aid. Unprecedented US military support. Unprecedented alliances to intercept incoming missiles. Bibi brazenly through in his lot with MAGA and made big issues over his demands for mega bombs that he claimed he needed for Rafah. Bibi misplayed his hand terribly. Biden/Harris are better than the America first isolationist crowd. And with Harris we wouldnt have crackpots running HHS, DOD and as DNI. We also wouldn’t be subject to the largest consumption tax in American history.
Why is any of this a surprise. Donald”s deficating all over Israel was a foregone conclusion. The only thing that wasn’t known was when it qpuld happen.
I am not surprised at all, Trump works like a pendulum, one moment he leans this way and the next moment the other way…. He is more a kind of melech shoteh then a rock solid force…. Anybody surpised at that has not followed the news and good for them! Yasher Kochachem!
Israel’s government lied about all the help the Biden admin gave them during the war. And they got nothing. Republicans only pretend to support Israel.
Please explain why trump should base a deal with Saudi Arabia on a deal with Israel. They are two separate countries and have different strategic value to the US.
It’s way better that the deals are separate.
Previously, every deal with an Arab country, was tied on the Palestinians getting a state.
This is best for everyone involved.
Why does everything that happens in the world have to be directly tied to Israel?
CrazyK: You’re just regurgitating all the discredited Dem talking points, aka bald faced lies like the fine people lie the insurrectionist lie etc. You leftists lost the election and you think by continually spouting you’re silly lies you will somehow discredit Trump.
Bibi didn’t throw in his lot with Maga. He didn’t act like Obama and interfere in another country’s elections. You’re just projecting how Democrats act.
No U.S. president will always agree with every single policy of Israel. So far Trump has been a lot better than the disastrous “Biden” administration in just about all areas. In any case we trust in Hashem and not in man.
Anyone sees what ywn is trying to do here? They’re dying to be mentioned in some Trump tweet or social media post. Doubt he reads you, though. Hey, no one can blame you for trying!