US Ambassador's Aide Accused of Altering Reports on Israel

A "New York Times" investigation reveals that David Millstein, a senior advisor to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, allegedly altered and suppressed embassy documents intended for Washington. These actions were reportedly taken to present Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies in a more favorable light, particularly concerning Israeli activities in the West Bank. The report, based on interviews with 15 U.S. officials and internal documents, focuses on issues such as the approval of new settlements and the handling of settler violence against Palestinians.

One instance cited involved a March report by U.S. embassy staff in Jerusalem detailing concerns that the approval of dozens of settlements could violate former President Trump's red lines against annexation. This report, according to three U.S. officials, was allegedly shelved by Millstein and never reached Washington. Since his arrival in April 2025, Millstein has reportedly "torpedoed or significantly rewritten" embassy reports on Israeli actions, aiming to cast Netanyahu's government positively, according to 15 individuals who have worked with him.

Millstein also allegedly suppressed reports highlighting the Israeli government's inaction against escalating settler violence. Instead, the embassy reportedly sent an update to Washington praising Israel for "suppressing" such violence. Furthermore, when members of Congress sought accountability for the deaths of nine Palestinian-Americans, Millstein allegedly suppressed a detailed embassy report, hindering lawmakers' efforts to obtain information.

Following these revelations, embassy staff reportedly reduced the frequency of their reports on Palestinian affairs, fearing Millstein would block or rewrite them. While Ambassador Huckabee is required to approve most updates, officials suggest Millstein sometimes acted independently. However, in some cases where Huckabee believed Millstein had gone too far, he reportedly reined him in. Officials expressed concern that Millstein's actions undermine standard diplomatic work and may contradict stated U.S. policy.