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August 21, 2025 – USA/Palestine –
The U.S. State Department has terminated its top press officer for Israeli‑Palestinian affairs, Shahed Ghoreishi, following a series of internal disputes over messaging concerning Gaza and Israel. Ghoreishi, a contractor in the Bureau of Near East Affairs, had drafted talking points that included condemnation of the proposed forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza and condolences for journalists killed there—both of which were later rejected by department leadership. These disagreements reportedly led to his dismissal.
Ghoreishi’s proposed line in a public statement stated: “We do not support the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.” This echoed language previously used by President Trump and his special envoy Steve Witkoff. However, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem vetoed it, directing his team to remove the passage.
Another controversy revolved around a proposed expression of empathy following the death of Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike alongside other media professionals. Despite Ghoreishi recommending including condolences—“We mourn the loss of journalists and express condolences to their families”—leadership opposed it, citing uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s death.
Ghoreishi also contested an internal preference to refer to the West Bank as “Judea and Samaria,” a term favored by certain right-wing Israeli officials, arguing instead to retain the internationally recognized nomenclature.
Following these disputes, Ghoreishi was dismissed. The firing comes amid broader efforts within the State Department to ensure loyalty to the Trump administration’s pro-Israel messaging, including revoking security clearances of officials critical of Trump.
Ghoreishi himself expressed dismay at his dismissal, stating that the lines he proposed had previously been approved and questioned the Department’s current willingness to stand against ethnic cleansing and show basic empathy.
This episode has sparked concern among human rights advocates who view the firing as a chilling precedent—undermining internal dissent and restricting principled communication on human rights and press freedom.
Reference –
https://dohanews.co/u-s-fires-official-for-condolences-on-gaza-journalists/
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