Why the US is staying so measured about allies’ sanctions on Israeli settlements
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee “is totally out on his own” with his threats against the U.K., as most of the Trump administration treads carefully.
The United States is maintaining a cautious stance on its allies imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements, according to a White House official. President Donald Trump raised the issue on Wednesday, expressing a desire to look into it, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that the U.S. does not plan to issue its own sanctions but did not condemn the actions by countries like the U.K. and several others.
The administration's strategy, as per an official, involves avoiding direct engagement in the ongoing debates between allies. This measured response reflects the delicate balance the Trump administration is trying to strike with Israel, a key U.S. ally in its efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and combat Iranian influence in the region.
The White House is wary of actions that could be perceived as a departure from its relationship with Israel, a significant ally with strong support in the Republican Party. The U.K., France, and Canada have moved forward with sanctions against Israeli settlements, citing the illegal nature of these settlements under international law.
The plan is expected to take several months to implement, and the U.S. has not provided significant pushback, according to British officials. Israeli officials have responded with measures of their own, such as closing the British consulate in Jerusalem. The timing of these events is politically sensitive, given the upcoming U.S. midterm elections and a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Written by urgent.news from Politico EU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
