State Department Fires Press Officer Over Gaza Policy Dispute/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The State Department has dismissed press officer Shahed Ghoreishi after disputes over Israel and Gaza policy statements. Ghoreishi says he was punished for objecting to wording on forced relocation and West Bank terminology. The firing highlights the Trump administration’s demand for strict loyalty on Middle East issues.
State Department Firing Quick Looks
- Shahed Ghoreishi, Iranian American contractor, fired over policy disputes.
- Dismissal followed complaints from US Embassy in Jerusalem officials.
- Ghoreishi opposed removing line rejecting forced relocation of Gazans.
- He also questioned use of “Judea and Samaria” for West Bank.
- Trump administration enforces strict loyalty on Israel-Hamas policy.
- Ambassador Mike Huckabee has promoted Biblical terminology.
- Right-wing activist Laura Loomer amplified pressure against Ghoreishi.
- Administration revoked security clearances of 37 national security officials.
- Ghoreishi says his removal signals harder line on Gaza policy.
- State Department cites “misconduct” but offers no specific explanation.
Deep Look: State Department Ousts Contractor After Israel-Gaza Policy Clash
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. State Department press officer was fired after disputes over official language on Israel and Gaza, raising questions about the Trump administration’s strict enforcement of loyalty on sensitive Middle East policies.
Officials confirmed that Shahed Ghoreishi, an Iranian American contractor working in the Bureau of Near East Affairs, was dismissed over the weekend. The move followed two incidents last week in which embassy officials in Jerusalem and senior aides to Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned his commitment to administration policy.
The Disputed Draft
At the center of the controversy was a draft response Ghoreishi prepared for a query from the Associated Press. The question concerned discussions between Israel and South Sudan about possibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
Ghoreishi’s draft included a line affirming that the United States does not support forced displacement of Gazans. That position has been stated publicly before by President Donald Trump and his envoy Steve Witkoff.
But the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem rejected the wording, sparking policy questions in Washington. Shortly afterward, Ghoreishi was sidelined and ultimately dismissed.
In a second dispute, Ghoreishi objected to embassy language that described the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria” — a term favored by Israeli right-wing leaders and repeatedly used by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
Reaction and Fallout
“Both of these had been consistently approved at the senior level in the past,” Ghoreishi said. “Why was I suddenly targeted? Is our Israel-Palestine policy about to get even worse — including a refusal to stand against ethnic cleansing?”
He described the decision as politically motivated, warning that the administration’s approach leaves little room for dissent or nuance.
Right-Wing Pressure
After Ghoreishi’s termination, far-right activist Laura Loomer celebrated the move, claiming she influenced the decision. Loomer accused him of ties to pro-Iran groups, charges he firmly denied.
Her involvement underscored a broader pattern: days earlier, Loomer posted videos questioning how Gazan children received U.S. visas for medical treatment. Soon after, the administration suspended all visitor visas from Gaza pending review.
Loyalty and Security Clearances
The firing comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to ensure alignment among national security staff. This week, officials revoked security clearances for 37 current and former officials, many of whom had signed a 2019 letter critical of Trump.
Deputy State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott avoided specifics but stressed:
“The agency has zero tolerance for employees who leak or disclose confidential information. Federal employees must not put personal ideologies ahead of the President’s agenda.”
The State Department declined further comment, citing internal personnel matters.
Broader Implications
The dispute highlights the tension between professional diplomacy and partisan loyalty. Traditionally, State Department press officers and career officials present U.S. policy positions consistently across administrations, even when personal beliefs differ.
But critics say Trump’s approach—emphasizing strict adherence to messaging aligned with his political allies—marks a break with precedent.
Ghoreishi’s firing also draws attention to the administration’s overwhelming support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Protests in Israel and Gaza continue, with demonstrators demanding both a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
For Ghoreishi, the episode raises alarms about U.S. credibility in the region:
“The future looks bleak,” he said. “If we can’t even state that we oppose forced displacement, then what moral ground are we standing on?”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.