The reaction of US President Donald Trump to the UK's decision to impose sanctions on those involved in constructing settlements in the West Bank has been disclosed.
On Tuesday, September 8, the UK declared that it would enforce sanctions against individuals and entities participating in the construction of settlements in the West Bank.
This action was taken following the Israeli government's decision to proceed with a new settlement in the sensitive E1 area.
Proposed settlement would split the West Bank
The proposed settlement would split the West Bank and obstruct territorial continuity in any future Palestinian state.
A number of countries supported the UK's stance, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
The US, a long-standing ally of Israel, has now confirmed that it was informed about the move prior to the announcement.
Trump did not resist or request change
According to Axios, two sources familiar with the call said Trump did not resist or request UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to alter his course.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio refrained from criticising the UK's action when questioned by reporters on Tuesday.
"The President hasn't commented on this and neither have I," he told reporters.
"We were made aware that they are gonna make this decision.
We heard their arguments as to why.
We share the goal of stability.
We don't want to see an uptick in violence or tensions in the West Bank in a tenuous time in the region."
White House distances itself from ambassador's remarks
Also on Tuesday, the White House distanced itself from remarks made by US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who criticised the new sanctions in an interview with the BBC.
Huckabee told the broadcaster that the UK government's decision amounted to "discrimination against the Jewish people."
A White House official told Axios that his comments "were not coordinated with the White House" or State Department.
In retaliation to the UK's action, Israel announced the closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem, which manages relations with the Palestinian Authority.
It also expelled British diplomats and military officers assigned to a US-led Gaza task force and terminated a British military training mission in the West Bank.
