Alarm in Tel Aviv After Removal of Pro-Israel Officials from Trump Administration
'Israeli officials are expressing growing concern over a series of unexpected personnel changes within the US administration, particularly involving individuals widely seen as strongly supportive of Israel,' sources told the Ynetnews website, which is affiliated to the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
The reshuffling comes amid rising tensions between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a potential strike on Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the Israeli report, two senior officials recently removed from their posts are Merav Ceren, a dual US-Israeli citizen who was only recently appointed as head of the Iran and Israel portfolio at the National Security Council, and Eric Trager, who oversees the Middle East and North Africa.
Both had been appointed by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, a staunch supporter of Israel, who was himself dismissed by Trump.
Ynetnews wrote that their removal was reportedly carried out by Waltz's successor, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Meanwhile, another high-profile figure expected to depart is Morgan Ortagus, deputy to special envoy Steve Witkoff and the official handling the Lebanon portfolio. Sources say her departure is not voluntary.
Ortagus, who converted to Judaism and wears a Star of David necklace, is considered one of the strongest supporters of Israel within the administration.
According to the Israeli report, she played a key role in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and in persuading the Lebanese government to take a firm stance against Hezbollah and disarm Palestinian refugee camps.
'Her imminent departure has stunned officials in Jerusalem, where she is viewed as closely aligned with Israeli interests,' Ynetnews said.
Officials following the issue do not rule out the possibility that more pro-Israel officials may be removed.
In the Trump administration, they note, decisions often come abruptly.
These removals are not occurring in a vacuum, but rather reflect a broader distancing between Jerusalem and the Trump administration, which appears to be pursuing its own strategic calculus.
Israeli sources familiar with US-Israel relations told the Israeli website that the spate of removals is driven by Trump's 'America First' agenda.
According to those sources, the shakeup is not specifically aimed at Israel but reflects a broader effort to curb foreign influence across the board.
They stress that the dismissals were not a result of the officials' views on Israel, but rather part of Trump's ongoing attempt to weaken the National Security Council and consolidate control of US foreign policy in his own hands.
This, they said, explains why Trump has left the national security advisor post vacant, with Rubio assuming the responsibilities instead.
Also, the sources noted that the push to remove pro-Israel figures is being led by Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr, and Vice President JD Vance.
Ynetnews said that Netanyahu has reportedly confided in closed-door discussions with his confidant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, that he misjudged the direction the US was taking on Israel and the broader Middle East.
Senior Israeli officials said Netanyahu did not hide his disappointment with Dermer.
'Dermer misread the situation; he was convinced the US would never turn against us,' said one source.
'He failed to anticipate the shift in US policy toward Israel. Even now, Dermer still believes the US will remain supportive and maintain coordination, but the truth is, he's lost his bearings.'
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