Israel's right-wing government has maintained a diplomatic silence this week as U.S. President Donald Trump fired off a blizzard of announcements that have shaken Israeli assumptions about their country's standing with its most important ally.

"We want to want to be sure that he is not a terrorist anymore," senior Israeli official told Newsweek of Syria's Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The White House has called it a “historic return to the Middle East” and promised “a shared vision of stability, opportunity and mutual respect.” Israel is once again not on the itinerary.

As Trump arrived in Qatar for the second stop on his Middle Eastern trip, roads in Doha were cleared ahead of his motorcade travelling from the airport to the Qatari Emir's palace. It is a common sight to see legions of police cars, motorbikes and support vehicles in those convoys. Even horses, in the Middle East.

The time has come to end the Gaza war. Ending it will require decisions that are not only difficult but also historic.

Pained and angered by deadly clashes between Islamist and Druze gunmen in Syria in recent weeks, leaders of Israel's own Druze minority say the Israeli military was right to intervene to defend the Druze and should do so again if violence restarts.

During their 30-minute meeting in Riyadh, the two leaders also discussed combatting the Islamic State and future American investment in Syrian oil and gas.