A recent report by the New York Times has revealed that a senior US diplomat, David Milstein, has been hiding and altering reports critical of Israel. Milstein, who has been serving as a senior assistant to the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Hackbarth, since April 2025, has been accused of suppressing reports that portray Israel in a negative light. According to the report, Milstein has been altering reports to show the Netanyahu government in a positive light.
The reports that Milstein has been hiding or altering include a report on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In March, Israel secretly agreed to establish new settlements in the West Bank, exceeding the number of approvals given in any previous batch. US embassy staff in Jerusalem believed this move could be a violation of one of President Trump's clear red lines for Israel, which is not to annex the West Bank. However, the report was never sent to Washington as Milstein blocked it.
This incident is not an isolated case. When violence by settlers in the West Bank escalated in the spring, Milstein delayed reports from the US embassy that indicated the Israeli government's inaction. Instead, the embassy sent a cable to Washington praising Israel for taking a "strong campaign" against the attacks. Additionally, when US lawmakers demanded accountability for the killing of nine Americans of Palestinian origin by Israeli settlers and security forces, Milstein blocked a detailed report prepared by embassy staff.
The reports from the US embassy on Palestinian affairs have decreased significantly since Milstein's arrival in Jerusalem. He began requiring prior approval for correspondence from the Palestinian affairs section, leading to a sharp decline in the number of cables sent. Some employees have stopped writing reports for fear that Milstein would block or rewrite them.
According to the New York Times, several officials have stated that Milstein's interventions go far beyond those of his predecessors in recent times. They and others have expressed concern that a distorted picture of Israeli actions is being presented to policymakers in Washington through the main diplomatic channels.
The US State Department has not commented on the allegations against Milstein. However, the incident has raised concerns about the potential impact on US policy towards Israel and the Palestinians. The US has historically been a key player in Middle East peace negotiations, and any bias in reporting could have significant implications.
The controversy surrounding Milstein's actions has sparked debate about the role of diplomats in reporting on sensitive issues. While diplomats are expected to provide objective reporting, some argue that they may be influenced by their own biases or pressures from host governments. The incident highlights the challenges of reporting on complex issues in the Middle East.
Key points
- A US diplomat has been accused of hiding and altering reports critical of Israel.
- The reports that were hidden or altered included information on Israeli settlements and violence by settlers.
- The incident has raised concerns about the potential impact on US policy towards Israel and the Palestinians.
