US Ambassador Slams Politico Over Embassy Staffer's Wedding Invitation Controversy

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckaby has sharply criticized Politico for publishing a story about a senior U.S. Embassy official in Jerusalem, David Milstein, which he deemed an intentional attack. The article, published in Politico Playbook on September 21 during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, focused on a wedding invitation sent by Milstein, who holds a top-secret security clearance. The invitation included a QR code for guests, including some Israeli citizens, to send monetary gifts in dollars or shekels. Experts and former intelligence officials interviewed by Politico suggested that allowing financial contributions to foreign nationals posed a significant counterintelligence risk and a potential national security vulnerability.

Following the press intervention, Milstein contacted guests to explain the issue stemmed from a technical error, stating the gift information was intended only for a small circle of relatives and close friends. He acknowledged he is not permitted to accept gifts due to his position and removed the QR codes from the invitation. However, Ambassador Huckaby defended Milstein, calling the article an attempt to tarnish the reputation of a "brilliant specialist" and dismissing the national security concerns. Huckaby suggested friends initiated the inquiry about gift-giving and offered to take responsibility for the controversy himself and Milstein's inner circle.