The article examines the strategy of formation of the US foreign policy towards Israel when H. Truman’s administration was succeeded by D. Eisenhower’s one. During his presidency the US foreign policy strategy towards Israel and the Middle East acquired the features that were clearly manifested later. The basis for a further transformation of the US Middle East policy was laid during the transitional phase in 1952 and 1953. In addition to traditional sources, the author involves sources, new to Russian historiography, from the Archive of Israel. They provide additional data for analysis of the processes outlined above. The US President Eisenhower inherited not only the “special relationship” with Israel from Truman’s administration, but also the lack of a specifi c policy towards the Middle East. This was due to changing trends in the policies of countries in the region, Israel’s difficult economic and political situation, and its reluctance to make concessions regarding key issues of Arab-Israeli relations. Tense situation in the region required Eisenhower’s administration to adopt a foreign policy strategy toward the Middle Eastern states. The Secretary of State J. Dulles’ trip to the Middle East in May 1953, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Aff airs H. Byroade’s position, the increase of negative Arab attitude towards the US due to the American aid to Israel led the US administration to choose the policy of neutrality. The US adoption of a more balanced strategy in the region does not support the claim that the American administration chose Arab countries as its main partners in the Middle East. The US foreign policy strategy toward Israel was still in its first stage, but the basic principle remained the same, which was to continue the long-term partnership with Israel, only in a more moderate mode.