The dismissals of pro-Israel figures in the White House have raised serious concerns in Tel Aviv and heightened anxiety about the growing isolationist trend within the US administration, which operates according to an "America First" agenda. Israel fears this will diminish its influence over US foreign policy.
Israeli sources told Ynet, a website affiliated with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, that there is growing Israeli concern about changes within the US administration, following the dismissal of officials considered "very pro-Israel."
This comes amid disagreements between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a potential attack on Iran, as well as the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Israeli report, two of the officials removed from their positions are Merav Sirin (an American-Israeli citizen who was recently appointed head of the Iran and Israel office at the National Security Council) and Eric Trager (head of the Middle East and North Africa office). Both were appointed by former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, also known for his strong support for Israel, who was also recently removed from his position.
Ynet reported that the person responsible for firing Serrin and Traeger is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who replaced Waltz in the position.
In addition, Morgan Ortagus (Steve Witkoff's deputy envoy and the administration's point person on Lebanon) is expected to leave her position soon, and not of her own volition. Ortagus, a convert to Judaism who proudly wears a Star of David necklace around her neck, is one of the administration's most ardent supporters of Israel. According to Ynet, she did an excellent job negotiating a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, convincing the government in Beirut to take a firm stance against Hezbollah, and emphasizing the need to disarm Palestinian refugee camps.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Ortagus's imminent move has caused alarm among Israeli officials involved in US affairs, considering it sympathetic and closely aligned with the policies of the Jewish state.
There is controversy in Israel about the shift taking place in the US administration.
Informed sources did not rule out the possibility of dismissing more "pro-Israel" figures. These sources told Yedioth Ahronoth that everything in the Trump administration happens "in real time," so it cannot be ruled out.
The sources continued, noting that the dismissal of these senior officials did not come out of nowhere; rather, it is part of the rift between Israel and the Trump administration, with the Americans apparently choosing this policy based on their own considerations.
However, other Israeli sources said that the transfer of the three officials from their positions came within the framework of President Trump's "America First" agenda, and not necessarily against Israel specifically, but rather against the influence of any country. According to these sources, Traeger and Seren were not dismissed because of their pro-Israel positions, but rather as part of Trump's effort to weaken the National Security Council and concentrate the management of US foreign policy in his hands. For this reason, Trump did not appoint a replacement for Waltz (he was transferred as US Ambassador to the United Nations), and the position remained with Secretary of State Rubio.
It is estimated in Israel that the current moves are being led by Trump's son, Donald Jr., and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Concern in Israel about a shift in the US administration's positions did not arise with these moves. The same Ynet website had previously published a report on statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in closed discussions with his close friend, Secretary of State Ron Dermer, in which he sharply criticized him for failing to anticipate the direction the United States was taking regarding Israel and the Middle East.
Senior government officials stated that Netanyahu did not hide his disappointment with Dermer. They added, "Dermer did not realize what was happening; he was deceived. He was confident that the United States would not stand against us." They added, "Dermer did not anticipate the change in the United States' position toward Israel. Until now, Dermer believed that the United States would continue to support Israel, would not stand against us, and that there would be coordination. But the truth is that Dermer has lost his way."
According to senior government officials, Netanyahu is deeply concerned about the changes in the United States and the influence of the "isolationist" movement, which is spreading doubt about Israel and whispering to Trump that the Jewish state wants to drag the United States into war. They added, "This is the new United States, and this is very worrying to Netanyahu."
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Concern in Tel Aviv after the exclusion of "pro-Israel" figures from the Trump administration