Netanyahu is the odd man out in Trump's Middle East trip

Tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were already bubbling up before the president visited three of America’s key Arab allies.

ABU DHABI — As President Donald Trump hopscotched around the Middle East this week, he was the star of elaborate ceremonies, announced new U.S. policies and unveiled billions of dollars in new economic partnerships.

He even visited a mosque, remarking on the pride he felt for “my friends” as he took in its beauty. “This is an incredible culture,” Trump said.

But one omission on the trip became more glaring with each stop: Israel.

Tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were already bubbling up before the president spent the week visiting three of America’s key Arab allies: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

By the end of the trip on Friday, Trump seemed to put further strain on the relationship. He had spent the past few days meeting with Syria’s new leader — a former Al Qaeda leader the U.S. had put a $10 million bounty on — and announced he was lifting sanctions on the country in a move Israel opposed but which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia had urged the president to take.