Officials at the State Department have been dismissed due to their stances on the Trump administration’s policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and Israel’s claims over the West Bank.
Shahed Holaisi, a spokesperson for the Israeli and Palestinian affairs bureau, was let go after being criticized by political appointees for opposing the president’s directives. He argued he was simply adhering to “established guidelines.”
During a phone conversation with The Hill, he expressed concerns about the potential consequences for experts tasked with their responsibilities, suggesting that their roles could be seen as mere obstacles to a specific ideology.
“It’s nothing personal, it’s just a process. There’s a level of expertise involved,” he stated.
Ghoreishi, another official who was let go, believes two factors contributed to his dismissal. First, he had drafted a statement asserting that the U.S. did not endorse the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza. Second, he had removed references to “Jews and Samaria” from remarks made during a high-level visit to the West Bank.
Being a contractor, Ghoreishi indicated that he wasn’t entitled to a detailed explanation for his termination.
The State Department did not confirm his firing or its reasons directly. State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott commented that the department maintains a “zero tolerance” policy for employees who leak information or commit fraud. He emphasized that personal political ideals must not overshadow the agenda set by a legitimately elected president.
The Washington Post reported that Ghoreishi’s firing was noted by David Millstein, an adviser to the Israeli Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who is seen as a key adversary of Ghoreishi.
According to the report, Millstein had created a memo praising House Speaker Mike Johnson’s visit to Israeli settlements in the West Bank earlier this month.
The Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee directed staff to use biblical terminology in their communications, while the State Department has not provided a formal stance on territorial names.
Ghoreishi expressed disappointment at the decision to opt for a neutral statement rather than support stability in the West Bank, citing previous communications and the authority from the embassy while navigating complex issues.
He also mentioned crafting a response to media inquiries regarding South Sudan’s efforts to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza.
His language aimed to reflect President Trump’s message that the U.S. opposes forced relocations. International law experts are concerned about the implications of pressuring Palestinians to leave their homes for political reasons, which could risk potential war crimes.
Trump and Witkov have suggested that Palestinians may choose to leave Gaza voluntarily, with the president implying that they desire better living conditions outside of Gaza’s devastation. Witkov’s administration is exploring ways to improve the living situation for Gazans.
Ghoreishi, who is Iranian-American, found himself at the center of scrutiny from conspiracy theorist Laura Rumer, who urged the Trump administration to dismiss people she accused of dishonesty towards the president.
She commended the National Security Council for its purges and endorsed recent actions to revoke security clearances from several national security experts.
Ghoreishi noted that a quick online search would reveal his opinion pieces with a progressive tilt. However, he asserted that he had to demonstrate his commitment to fulfilling the administration’s goals, regardless of political affiliation, to secure his position.
“I maintained solid relationships with both political appointees and civil servants. You don’t slip into this role lightly,” he remarked.
Ghoreishi observed that high-ranking officials in the Jerusalem embassy seem to exert increasing influence, sending signals to various officers while keeping to a strict line.
U.S. Foreign Office Chairman John Dinkelmann, while commenting generally on the situation, expressed concerns that foreign service members might struggle to perform their roles effectively amidst a rapidly shifting policy landscape.
“Diplomacy functions best when messaging and policies align, and when there’s departmental cohesion,” he stated.
