The U.S. President Donald Trump’s attempt to deflect responsibility for Israel’s unprovoked attack on Qatar has drawn sharp criticism, exposing the United States’ unwavering pro-Israel bias in Middle East policy, which critics argue undermines regional stability and emboldens reckless aggression.

In a statement laden with contradictions, Trump expressed displeasure with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unilateral decision to bomb Qatar, a key U.S. ally and mediator in regional peace efforts. “I was not very happy with this situation — I was not happy with it in any way,” Trump said, attempting to distance himself from the attack while simultaneously praising Netanyahu’s aim to “eliminate Hamas.” The mixed messaging has fueled accusations that the U.S. continues to shield Israel’s aggressive actions, even when they jeopardize American interests and allies.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “This decision was made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, not by me,” while lauding Qatar as a “sovereign country and a close ally of the US, working hard with us to achieve peace.” Yet, his claim that Middle East Special Representative Steve Witkoff had been tasked with warning Doha before the attack was swiftly debunked by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Spokesman Macid al-Ensari stated, “Qatar was informed after the sounds of the attack were heard,” exposing U.S. failures in communication and coordination.

Critics argue that the U.S.’s reflexive support for Israel, even in the face of such a diplomatically disastrous move, highlights a broader pattern of enabling Israel’s actions at the expense of regional allies like Qatar. The Gulf state has been instrumental in mediating peace efforts, including negotiations to secure the release of hostages in Gaza. Trump’s announcement that a defense cooperation agreement with Doha is in its “final stages” rings hollow to many, who see it as a belated attempt to salvage relations after failing to prevent or condemn Israel’s attack outright.

Hamas, the target of Israel’s strike, reported no senior officials were killed, casting doubt on the operation’s effectiveness and raising questions about Israel’s true motives. Meanwhile, Trump’s call for an immediate end to the Gaza war and the release of all prisoners was overshadowed by his suggestion that Netanyahu’s attack could be an “opportunity for peace,” a claim critics dismissed as absurdly optimistic and detached from the reality of escalating tensions.

The Biden administration’s critics, now joined by voices frustrated with Trump’s foreign policy, argue that the U.S.’s pro-Israel stance continues to destabilize the Middle East. By failing to hold Israel accountable for its attack on a key ally, the U.S. risks alienating partners like Qatar, whose “courageous and resolute” cooperation Trump himself praised. Analysts warn that this incident could further erode trust in U.S. leadership, as Washington’s one-sided policies embolden Israel to act with impunity, threatening the fragile balance of power in the region.

As Qatar reels from the attack and the U.S. scrambles to repair diplomatic ties, the incident underscores a troubling truth: America’s unflinching support for Israel remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy, even when it undermines its own strategic interests and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. (ILKHA)