The United States did not condemn the United Kingdom's decision to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in building settlements in the West Bank, according to reports from Axios.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Tuesday, September 8, that the UK would impose sanctions against those involved in settlement construction. The move came after the Israeli government decided to proceed with a new settlement in the sensitive E1 area, which would divide the West Bank and prevent territorial contiguity in any future Palestinian state.
US briefed before announcement
Canada, Denmark, Finland and France are among the several countries that have supported the UK in its decision. Israel's ally America has now revealed that it was briefed by the UK before the announcement.
Two sources familiar with the matter have said that Trump did not push back or ask Burnham to change course, Axios has reported.
Secretary of State's response
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not condemn the UK's move when asked about it 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."
Ambassador's remarks and Israeli response
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee attacked the new sanctions when speaking to the BBC, telling the broadcaster that the UK government's decision amounted to "discrimination against the Jewish people."
A White House official distanced itself from the comments, telling Axios that Huckabee's remarks "were not coordinated with the White House" or State Department.
In response to the UK's move, Israel announced the closure of the UK consulate in East Jerusalem. The consulate handles relations with the Palestinian Authority. Israel has also expelled British diplomats and military officers posted to a US-led Gaza task force and terminated a British military training mission in the West Bank.
