Top US Embassy aide in Jerusalem suppressed reports on Israeli actions - NYT
The NYT report accuses Milstein of enabling an alleged annexation effort of the West Bank by assisting in the acceleration of Israeli settlements in the region by suppressing negative reports.
David Milstein, a senior advisor to US Ambassador Mike Huckabee to Israel, allegedly suppressed reports on Israeli actions in the West Bank to present the Netanyahu government favorably to Washington, according to a New York Times report on Thursday. The allegations are based on 12 anonymous sources familiar with Milstein's activities in both Jerusalem and Washington.
The NYT claims Milstein aided an annexation effort by suppressing reporting that would upset the Trump administration. For instance, Milstein reportedly blocked news of Israeli government inaction against violent settler extremists, instead sending a cable praising Israel for cracking down on the attacks. Additionally, the report alleges that a comprehensive report on a Palestinian-American's death was suppressed upon Milstein's arrival in Jerusalem in 2025.
The NYT suggests that Milstein's influence led to a significant decrease in diplomatic cables sent between the US and Israel after his appointment. Huckabee dismissed the NYT's report, accusing it of relying on unverified anonymous sources and criticizing its use of a statement he provided when asked for comment. The ambassador further denounced the story as "lacking in fact" and "nonsense" without any named sources.
Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman defended Milstein, calling the NYT report a "hit piece" based on anonymous sources and offering to refute the claims personally.
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