WASHINGTON — The US State Department is planning to eliminate the office of the US Security Coordinator (USSC) in Jerusalem, which helps bolster security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, a Trump administration official, congressional aide and third source familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel on Tuesday.

The cut is part of a broader reorganization of the State Department that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is advancing, which will see the shuttering of dozens of offices around the globe, the sources said. The move was first reported by the Axios news site.

The current USSC in Jerusalem, Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel, was informed last week that his position will be cut, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks, the congressional aide and a source familiar said.

The Congressional aide warned that the move could have destabilizing implications for the West Bank, as the USSC post has played a critical role in bolstering the PA security forces.

“This ultimately risks harming Israeli security,” the congressional aide added.

The US official clarified that the decision is not final until its announced but acknowledged that Fenzel’s position is among those on the chopping block. The official added that the move is a cost-cutting measure and not being made for policy reasons.

Fenzel was first informed of the plan earlier this year but was then told that the decision had been reversed after holding meetings in Washington at which he stressed the importance of maintaining the position, according to the source familiar with the matter.

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