A top aide to US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has repeatedly altered or suppressed embassy reporting that would have been critical of Israeli activities in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, according to a New York Times investigation.
David Milstein, 36, has blocked, rewritten or delayed reports to Washington about illegal Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settler violence, and the killings of nine Palestinian Americans, the NYT reported, citing US officials familiar with his work.
The newspaper said it interviewed 15 US officials who had worked with Milstein, including many in Washington, as well as nine former diplomats. They were all cited anonymously for fear of reprisals.
The NYT also reviewed dozens of internal documents, including diplomatic cables, memos and other communications.
The investigation found that Milstein's interventions raised concerns among embassy staff and Washington officials that information reaching the US government was being distorted. Several officials told the NYT that Milstein's interventions surpassed those of any recent predecessor.
The sources told the paper they were concerned that Milstein was undermining diplomatic work and even contradicting US President Donald Trump's policies.