Neutral news: US State Department dismisses press officer over remarks on Israel-Gaza stance.
State Department Fires Press Officer After Israel-Gaza Dispute
The U.S. State Department has dismissed a press officer following disputes over official language on Israel and Gaza policy, as well as political pressure from far-right activist Laura Loomer.
Shahed Ghoreishi, an Iranian American contractor working with the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, was terminated over the weekend after embassy officials in Jerusalem and aides to Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised concerns about his handling of press guidance.
According to Ghoreishi and two U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the conflict began when he drafted a response to an Associated Press question about discussions between Israel and South Sudan regarding the possible relocation of Palestinians. Ghoreishi’s draft included a line affirming that Washington does not support the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza — a position previously stated by both former President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff. That line, however, was rejected by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, raising questions about whether policy had shifted.
Ghoreishi also objected to embassy language referring to the occupied West Bank as “Judea and Samaria,” terminology embraced by some right-wing Israeli officials but not traditionally used in U.S. statements.
The Washington Post first reported his removal, which Ghoreishi described as politically motivated. “Both of these positions had been cleared at senior levels in the past, so it begs the question why I was suddenly targeted — and whether our Israel-Palestine policy is about to get even worse,” he said.
After his firing, Loomer — known for pushing conspiracy theories — claimed credit, calling Ghoreishi disloyal to Trump’s Middle East approach. She alleged, without evidence, that he was linked to pro-Iran groups, which he has denied.
This is not the first time the State Department has appeared to act after Loomer’s campaigns. Earlier this month, the department suspended visa processing for people from Gaza after she questioned online how Palestinian children had been granted entry to the U.S. for medical treatment.
The administration also recently revoked the clearances of dozens of current and former officials, many of whom had criticized Trump in the past — another move highlighted by Loomer.
