Israel on edge after Trump sacks key allies in foreign policy overhaul

President Donald Trump's recent National Security Council (NSC) reshuffle has sidelined several senior officials known for their strong support for Israel, sparking questions over the future of US-Israel relations.

Among those dismissed are Merav Sirin, a dual Israeli-American citizen who recently headed the NSC’s Iran-Israel desk; Eric Trager, former lead on the Middle East and North Africa portfolio; and Morgan Ortagus, a high-profile diplomat who played a key role in Lebanon ceasefire talks and was seen as closely aligned with Israeli interests.

Merav and Trager were originally appointed by former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, himself ousted weeks earlier and considered one of Israel’s staunchest allies in the Trump administration. Their responsibilities have now been shifted to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Ortagus, a convert to Judaism and a strong advocate for confronting Hezbollah and Palestinian armed factions in Lebanon, had reportedly lobbied to take over the Syria portfolio. Her removal, described by US sources as stemming from internal disputes rather than her Lebanon work, has nonetheless sparked concern among Israeli officials. Some saw her as a key link between Tel Aviv and the Trump administration.

Inside the 'America First' purge

The shake-up appears to be part of a broader effort to consolidate power under Trump’s "America First" doctrine, now reportedly being driven by Vice President J.D. Vance. The aim, sources say, is to reduce foreign influence, particularly Israeli, over American foreign policy.

Names floated as possible replacements include former US envoy Joel Rayburn and Lebanese-American businessman Massad Boulos, who is also Donald Trump Jr.'s father-in-law.

Israeli officials have expressed alarm over the direction of these changes. While Rubio is considered friendly to Israel, some pro-Israel figures say he lacks the ideological commitment of his predecessor. "He supports Israel," one Israeli source told the Hebrew paper Yedioth Ahronoth, "but he doesn’t follow its agenda to the letter the way Waltz did."

Compounding Israeli unease is the growing influence of isolationist voices within Trump's inner circle, including conservative media figure Tucker Carlson. These figures have reportedly warned Trump that unconditional support for Israel risks dragging the US into broader regional wars.

The dismissals have also reignited internal tensions within the Israeli government. According to senior officials, Netanyahu has privately expressed regret to Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, his longtime US envoy, over misreading the shifts in Washington. "Dermer misread the situation," one source said, "and failed to anticipate the pivot".

Israeli anxieties intensified further after Netanyahu's poorly received trip to Washington in April. Hoping to ease new US tariffs and discourage Trump's diplomatic opening to Iran, Netanyahu instead found himself sidelined during a live Oval Office appearance, where Trump stunned observers by announcing plans for direct talks with Tehran. Israeli media branded the visit a diplomatic disaster, with one outlet calling it "the worst meeting ever".

The developments mark a striking turn in what had long been portrayed as an unbreakable bond between Trump and Netanyahu. "These are dangerous voices whispering in Trump’s ear," said one senior Israeli official. "They are sowing doubts about Israel’s intentions and questioning our alliance."

Despite public denials, some in Jerusalem say the rift is real. "There’s a clear breakdown," one Israeli source admitted. "Something is broken in the Netanyahu–Trump relationship."