A senior adviser to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee allegedly intervened repeatedly in diplomatic reporting from the US Embassy in Jerusalem, suppressing or altering reports that were critical of Israeli government actions, according to an investigation by The New York Times.
The adviser, David Milstein, has reportedly blocked some reports from reaching Washington, substantially revised others and delayed diplomatic cables, according to interviews with US officials and former diplomats as well as a review of internal embassy documents. The Times of Israel
Report on West Bank settlements allegedly blocked
According to the investigation, embassy staff prepared an urgent report in late March after Israel approved a record expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. Officials reportedly viewed the development as potentially conflicting with President Donald Trump's stated opposition to annexation of the territory.
The report, however, allegedly did not reach policymakers in Washington after being blocked by Milstein, according to officials cited by The New York Times. GV Wire
Settler violence reporting also questioned
The investigation further alleges that during a rise in settler violence in the West Bank, embassy reporting indicating that the Israeli government was failing to adequately address the violence was held back.
Instead, a cable sent to Washington reportedly portrayed Israel as taking action against the attacks.
Cases involving Palestinian Americans
Another issue involved investigations into the deaths of nine Palestinian Americans in the West Bank.
According to officials familiar with the matter, embassy staff prepared a detailed report after members of Congress sought information about the cases. The report reportedly found limited progress in several investigations, while some cases had been closed without charges.
The investigation says Milstein instead proposed a diplomatic response emphasizing cooperation with Israel on accountability. Political
Concerns over Gaza reporting
The New York Times investigation also examined US diplomatic reporting on humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Officials said some reporting warning about problems and risks surrounding humanitarian operations was subsequently reshaped to present the initiative more positively.
Huckabee rejects allegations
Ambassador Mike Huckabee has rejected the allegations and defended Milstein. The New York Times reported that Huckabee and Milstein declined interview requests concerning the investigation.
It remains unclear how much Huckabee knew about individual interventions by his adviser or whether the reported changes affected policy decisions in Washington.
The allegations have nevertheless raised questions about the role of diplomatic reporting in informing US policymakers about developments in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
AALIMI NATION | WORLD NEWS| Times Of Israel
