U.S. Embassy Adviser in Israel Accused of Suppressing Critical Reports
A New York Times investigation reveals that a senior adviser to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee systematically blocked or altered critical reports to present the Israeli government positively.
A New York Times investigation reveals that David Milstein, a senior adviser to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, repeatedly blocked or significantly altered critical reports regarding Israel. The goal was to present Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in a positive light to Washington. According to the report, 15 U.S. officials and nine former diplomats spoke out, fearing that Milstein's actions distort standard diplomatic work and potentially contradict President Donald Trump's stated policies.
Suppressed Reports and Altered Assessments
In late March, amid high tensions, Israel quietly approved a vast number of settlements in the occupied West Bank. An urgent, critical report on the matter never reached the U.S. administration because Milstein blocked it. Similarly, in April, when IDF senior officers warned that settler violence could ignite a new Palestinian uprising, embassy staff attempted to transmit these warnings to Washington. Milstein prevented the original transmission, instead praising Netanyahu's new initiatives against violence in Judea and Samaria.
Congressional Inquiries and Humanitarian Aid
Another instance involved congressional demands regarding the deaths of nine Palestinian-Americans in the West Bank over the past four years. Milstein allegedly blocked a detailed embassy staff report, effectively frustrating lawmakers' efforts. Instead, he argued the embassy should send a letter stating Israel was properly handling the investigations. Furthermore, in the summer of 2025, after Palestinian casualties at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food distribution point, diplomats warned of chaotic and lethal distribution. Sources state Milstein rewrote the report to declare the operation a success, ignoring mass casualties and prompting the White House to seek direct channels for accurate information.
Background and Official Response
Milstein is a longtime conservative and Republican who previously served as an aide to Senator Ted Cruz. His stepfather is conservative radio host Mark Levin. Ambassador Huckabee defended his staff, stating that the events in the report are lacking and align with ridiculous Times efforts, while rejecting the claims entirely. The State Department emphasized that all personnel remain focused on advancing President Trump's America First agenda.
