03.06.2025 08:52
Israeli media claimed that three senior officials in the U.S. administration, who are supporters of Israel, were dismissed due to disagreements between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding "Iran and Gaza."
In a report by Yedioth Ahronoth, it was claimed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed three senior officials in the Washington administration, described as "staunch Israel supporters," including a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen involved in negotiations with Iran.
It was noted in the statement that the Tel Aviv administration assessed that pro-Israel officials were dismissed due to Trump's desire to take foreign policy into his own hands, while in the background, there were disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu regarding "possible attacks on Iran and the war in Gaza." The report indicated that there are concerns in Israel regarding changes in the U.S. administration.
TRUMP HAD APPOINTED THE DISMISSED NAMES
It was claimed that two of those dismissed were Merav Ceren, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen recently appointed as the coordinator of the Iran and Israel unit at the U.S. National Security Council, and Eric Trager, the coordinator of the Africa unit. It was recalled that Ceren and Traeger were appointed by former National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, known as a "strong pro-Israel" figure, who was dismissed by Trump.
Another official who was dismissed was suggested to be Morgan Ortagus, the Deputy Special Representative for the Middle East, considered "one of Israel's biggest supporters." Ortagus, who is expected to leave her position soon, closely followed the ceasefire with Israel in Lebanon and regional developments through her visits to Beirut, drawing attention with the jewelry featuring the "Star of David" symbol during her meetings with officials in Lebanon. The report stated that Israeli sources argued that the dismissals were not particularly against Israel and were made because Trump wanted to "weaken the National Security Council and take foreign policy into his own hands."
TRUMP AND NETANYAHU'S RELATIONSHIP IS STRAINED
It was noted that the decision to dismiss pro-Israel officials was based on U.S. President Trump and Vice President James David (JD) Vance. Sources related to the issue did not rule out the dismissal of more pro-Israel U.S. officials and assessed this as part of the distance that has opened between Trump and Netanyahu.
It was announced that U.S. President Trump warned Netanyahu on May 27 not to take steps that would undermine nuclear negotiations with Iran. Israeli military expert Amos Harel, in an article he wrote for Haaretz, suggested that the U.S. President was "tired of Netanyahu's games" and stated that Trump was pressuring Israel regarding "the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," noting that this situation was "forcing the Netanyahu administration into a prisoner exchange agreement."