Trump Administration Did Not Block UK Sanctions on Israeli Settlements

The Trump administration did not oppose or attempt to block new British sanctions targeting Israeli settlements, according to a report by Barak Ravid for Hadashot 12, citing senior American officials and Western diplomats. This inaction is seen as a signal of U.S. frustration with the Netanyahu government's policies in the West Bank.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly spoke with President Donald Trump before the sanctions were announced, informing him of the decision. Sources familiar with the conversation indicated that Trump did not express opposition or ask Burnham to refrain from the action. Twelve other Western nations joined the UK in imposing the sanctions.

When questioned by reporters about the sanctions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the President had not commented and neither would he. Rubio added that the British had explained their reasoning and that the U.S. shares the goal of stability in the West Bank, not wanting to see increased violence or tension during a sensitive regional period.

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced the sanctions in Parliament, declaring settlements illegal and alleging ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. The sanctions include a ban on purchasing goods from settlements and penalties against companies supporting settlement activities. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced retaliatory measures and called the British accusations "outrageous and false."