Ex-Trump Aide Ortega Continues Israel-Lebanon Normalization Push

Former Trump administration advisor Morgan Ortega is actively pursuing normalization efforts between Israel and Lebanon, even after leaving her official post. In an interview with Israeli diplomatic correspondent Amichai Stein, Ortega discussed her past initiatives, including direct talks between Israelis and Lebanese, which she believes could form the basis for broader bilateral relations.

Ortega emphasized that these discussions originated not in Israel or the U.S., but from within Lebanon itself. She noted that her Lebanese contacts were enthusiastic about peace and normalization, particularly after what she described as the "dramatic" removal of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces, creating a "new opportunity" for relations. She observed a significant lack of understanding between Israelis and Lebanese, despite their geographical proximity.

Recounting her appointment to the Lebanon portfolio after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Ortega described her immediate focus on preventing the collapse of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. She secured an extension for the withdrawal of forces from southern Lebanon, averting a crisis in the early days of the Trump administration. She identified the period following Nasrallah's assassination as a "historic opportunity" to foster ties between the two nations, which have had limited direct relations since the 1980s.

Ortega asserted that while confronting Hezbollah and its disarmament remains a central goal, direct engagement with the Lebanese public is crucial. She questioned how to convince the Shia population that peace with Israel would significantly improve their lives, contrasting it with continued subservience to Iran, which she stated directly supports Hezbollah. She also pointed to widespread Lebanese discontent with the ongoing conflict and destruction.

A key initiative Ortega championed was bi-weekly direct meetings between Israeli and Lebanese representatives, which required considerable effort to arrange. She likened herself to a "nagging teacher" ensuring participation, driven by a commitment to facilitate dialogue. While acknowledging that peace has not been achieved, she believes these meetings broke the taboo against direct Israeli-Lebanese conversation.

Ortega criticized Israel's past approach to Lebanon as overly tactical, focusing solely on immediate security threats like Hezbollah's weapons and infrastructure. She suggested Israel missed an earlier opportunity with the election of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, whose inaugural address indicated openness to peace. She urged the Israeli government to engage with the broader Lebanese society, not just Hezbollah, highlighting growing public interest in direct relations, evident in media and social media discussions about potential visits and shared activities.

Ortega also spoke about her personal Jewish identity, explaining her consistent wearing of Jewish symbols, including a Star of David ring, as a declaration of faith and a commitment to protecting her daughter's Jewish identity. She stated her intention to live and die as a proud Jew. She recalled a final conversation with Senator Lindsey Graham about opportunities for peace between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon, noting his optimism.

Currently, Ortega continues her normalization efforts with Lebanese partner Antoine Sahakian, acknowledging the long road ahead but emphasizing the transformative impact of ongoing direct dialogue.