A recent investigation by the New York Times has revealed that a senior American official in Jerusalem, David Milstein, may have played a significant role in altering and withholding diplomatic reports on Israel's policies in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to the investigation, Milstein, who has held a position of influence at the US embassy in Jerusalem since April 2025, has been accused of intervening in sensitive reports on Israel's settlement expansion, settler violence, and the killing of American citizens of Palestinian origin.
The New York Times investigation, which included interviews with over 12 American officials and a review of internal State Department records, found that Milstein's actions may have hindered the ability of senior US policymakers to make informed decisions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In one instance, Milstein reportedly blocked a memo warning that Israel's unprecedented settlement expansions in the West Bank could contradict a key policy outlined by former US President Donald Trump. The memo was ultimately sent with significant changes, downplaying the potential implications of the settlement expansions.
The investigation also revealed that Milstein intervened in reports on settler violence, blocking cables that highlighted the Israeli authorities' alleged inaction in addressing the issue. Instead, the US embassy sent a cable praising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's initiatives and claiming that the Israeli authorities were actively working to address the violence. Furthermore, Milstein reportedly withheld a detailed investigation into the killing of nine American citizens of Palestinian origin by Israeli forces and settlers, which hindered Congressional efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
In addition to these instances, the investigation found that Milstein also edited cables on humanitarian aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, removing warnings that the distribution process was chaotic and resulted in fatalities. The edited cables presented the aid distribution as a success. These actions, according to the investigation, led to a significant decrease in the number of reports issued by the US embassy's Palestinian affairs section.
The US embassy in Jerusalem has responded to the allegations, with Ambassador Mike Hakabi dismissing the investigation as lacking factual basis. The State Department has also issued a statement, emphasizing that its employees remain focused on implementing the administration's foreign policy priorities, without directly addressing the allegations.
The New York Times investigation raises questions about the mechanisms in place for preparing US diplomatic reports on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the accessibility of sensitive information to policymakers in Washington. The allegations also highlight concerns about the potential impact of such interventions on the accuracy of assessments presented to US leaders regarding developments in the region.
The issue has sparked concerns among some US officials, who reportedly felt compelled to bypass official channels to obtain accurate information on the ground. The investigation's findings have also underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in the preparation and dissemination of diplomatic reports on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Key points
- A senior American official in Jerusalem, David Milstein, has been accused of intervening in diplomatic cables to protect Israel's government.
- The interventions, according to the investigation, may have hindered the ability of senior US policymakers to make informed decisions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The issue has raised concerns about the mechanisms in place for preparing US diplomatic reports on Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
