Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Unreleased US Draft Condemned UK Over West Bank Import Restrictions
US officials wrote a statement criticizing the United Kingdom, France and Canada.
The countries planned to stop imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The draft said this was hostile to Israel and connected to antisemitism.
It also compared the plan with the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
The statement was never published.
Senior White House and State Department officials reportedly did not support it.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio later avoided directly criticizing the countries.
The disagreement reflects different views among US officials about Israeli settlements.
Polls also show that younger Republicans and many Democrats have become more critical of Israel.
US officials drafted a statement criticizing UK, France and Canada for plans to block imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The September 8 draft described the measures as hostile actions contributing to antisemitism and compared them with the BDS movement.
Three people familiar with the matter said the White House and senior State Department officials did not support releasing the statement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to criticize the countries directly when asked about the issue on September 8.
The episode highlighted disagreements within the Trump administration and the American right over Israeli settlements and US support for Israel.
- Who
- US officials, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his aide David Milstein; the United Kingdom, France and Canada were also involved.
- What
- A draft US statement condemned plans to restrict imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, but the statement was never released.
- When
- The document was dated September 8, and Reuters reported the episode on September 23.
- Where
- The draft was prepared by officials in Jerusalem and Washington and concerned the West Bank.
- Why
- The draft sought to portray the import restrictions as hostile actions against Israel that contributed to antisemitism, while senior US officials did not support issuing it.
Criticism of Settlement Policies
Defense of Israel and Settlements
Import restrictions
Criticism of Settlement Policies
The United Kingdom, France and Canada planned to block imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, reflecting opposition to settlement policy.
Defense of Israel and Settlements
The draft characterized the measures as hostile actions against Israel and compared them with the antisemitic BDS movement.
US government response
Criticism of Settlement Policies
The White House and senior State Department officials reportedly opposed releasing the draft, while Rubio avoided directly criticizing the countries.
Defense of Israel and Settlements
Officials associated with Ambassador Mike Huckabee sought a stronger public defense of Israel and condemnation of the restrictions.
Status of settlements
Criticism of Settlement Policies
The United Nations and most countries consider Israeli settlements illegal under international law governing military occupation.
Defense of Israel and Settlements
Israel rejects that position and views the West Bank as disputed rather than occupied; supporters of the settlements also use the term Judea and Samaria.
- Draft status
- The proposed statement was never released.
- Countries named
- The United Kingdom, France and Canada.
- Planned measures
- Blocking imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- Draft language
- The measures were described as hostile actions contributing to antisemitism and were compared with the BDS movement.
- Rubio's response
- Marco Rubio declined to comment directly on the countries' decisions on September 8.
- West Bank population
- About 500,000 Israeli settlers and 3 million Palestinians live in the territory, according to the report.
- Public opinion
- A June Quinnipiac University poll found that 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats believed the United States was too supportive of Israel.