Israeli Media Reports Alarm Over Trump’s Removal of Pro-Israel Officials
Surprise dismissals of top pro-Israel officials fuel Israeli fears of waning influence in Washington
Watan-An Israeli newspaper reported Monday evening that there is growing concern in Israel following the unexpected removal of staunchly pro-Israel officials from key positions in the White House and the National Security Council.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, “There is concern in Israel over internal changes within the U.S. administration.” The paper added, “In recent days, several senior officials known for their strong support of Israel were suddenly reassigned from their posts at the White House and the NSC.”
The moves come amid deepening tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly over a potential Israeli strike on Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel has repeatedly opposed Washington’s nuclear negotiations with Tehran and has hinted at launching a solo attack against Iran.
Key Pro-Israel Officials Removed from U.S. National Security Posts
Among those removed are Merav Serin, an Israeli-American who recently headed the Iran-Israel division at the NSC, and Eric Trager, Director for Middle East and North Africa. Both were appointed by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz—also a staunch Israel ally—who was recently dismissed by Trump.
The paper indicated that these changes were driven by new Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who succeeded Waltz. In addition, Morgan Ortagus, deputy to Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and the official in charge of the Lebanon file, is also expected to depart soon—not of her own volition.
Ortagus, who converted to Judaism and wears a Star of David necklace, is considered one of the most pro-Israel figures in the administration. She played a major role in de-escalation efforts between Israel and Lebanon and pushed Beirut to take a tougher stance on Hezbollah and disarm Palestinian refugee camps.
The report said her expected removal “has shocked insiders in both U.S. and Israeli circles, as she was undoubtedly seen as one of Israel’s closest allies in the administration.”
Unnamed Israeli sources familiar with U.S.-Israel ties speculated that the firings were not necessarily anti-Israel, but part of Trump’s broader “America First” agenda—aimed at reducing foreign influence in U.S. decision-making circles.
Trump Centralizes Foreign Policy, Sidelines NSC Influence
Sources noted that Trump seeks to centralize foreign policy under his personal control and weaken institutions like the NSC. This is reflected in his failure to appoint a replacement for Mike Waltz, effectively handing over that power to Rubio.
“Why then would Marco Rubio—a known supporter of Israel—dismiss Serin and Trager?” the paper asked. The answer: While Rubio hasn’t abandoned his pro-Israel stance, he appears more pragmatic than Waltz and less inclined to adopt Israel’s agenda wholesale.
Sources did not rule out more dismissals of pro-Israel officials in the near future, warning that changes in the Trump administration are occurring swiftly and without prior notice.
Yedioth Ahronoth concluded that the dismissals reflect growing divergence between Israel and the Trump administration. These changes are not random but are part of a shift in U.S. strategic thinking.
During closed-door discussions with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Netanyahu reportedly admitted he misjudged the U.S. direction regarding Israel and the Middle East. Senior officials revealed Netanyahu’s deep disappointment in Dermer, saying he “misread the situation” and assumed the U.S. would never turn against Israel.
These officials say Netanyahu is increasingly concerned by the influence of the isolationist “White Woke” movement on Trump, particularly figures like conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson. “These are dangerous people influencing Trump,” one said. “They whisper in his ear that Israel is dragging the U.S. into war. This is the new America—and Netanyahu is deeply worried.”
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been carrying out a U.S.-backed campaign in Gaza that has killed or injured over 179,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, with over 11,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced.
