US officials drafted a statement for Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning UK, French and Canadian plans to block imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank; it was never issued. Three people familiar with the matter said senior US leaders did not support it.
The September 8-dated draft characterized the countries’ moves as hostile measures against Israel that contributed to antisemitism, likening them to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Two sources said David Milstein, an aide to US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, drove the effort; a senior US official said it was not prepared in consultation with the White House or State Department. Asked about the UK announcement on September 8, Rubio said the US would not do the same and had no comment then.
The episode reflects broader disagreement over settlements: Trump has expressed opposition to expansion, but his administration has put little pressure on Israel, while Huckabee is a staunch supporter. A late-March Pew poll found 57% of Republicans aged 18–49 viewed Israel unfavorably, up from 50% a year earlier; a June Quinnipiac poll found 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats said the US was too supportive of Israel.
