US White House Blocks Draft Condemning Allies Over Israeli Settlements

The White House blocked a draft statement prepared by U.S. diplomats that would have sharply criticized Britain, France, and Canada for planning to restrict imports from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. The document, dated September 8 and circulated by David Millstein, an advisor to U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, proposed characterizing the allies' actions as hostile and linking them to the BDS movement, suggesting such policies foster antisemitism. However, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the initiative lacked approval from the White House and senior State Department officials, preventing its publication. An American official noted the draft was prepared without consultation with the White House or the State Department leadership. Senator Marco Rubio, who was intended to receive the statement, adopted a more measured stance on September 8, stating the U.S. would not act like Britain but declined to directly criticize London, Paris, or Ottawa. The incident highlights internal divisions within the U.S. administration regarding Israeli settlements. While Ambassador Friedman consistently supports Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria, using the biblical name for the region, President Trump has previously expressed disagreement with settlement expansion, though his administration has not significantly pressured Israel to change its policy. Polls also indicate differing views within the U.S. electorate, with a Pew Research Center survey in late March showing 57% of Republicans aged 18-49 held negative views of Israel, and a Quinnipiac University poll in June finding 48% of American voters believed U.S. policy was too favorable to Israel.