President Donald Trump and his top foreign policy aide, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have not condemned the United Kingdom, France, Canada and others for their planned sanctions on settlements in the occupied West Bank – a notable development from the self-described “most pro-Israel” administration in history.
Their ultimate position on the new sanctions remains unclear, current and former US officials told CNN. Still, the lack of condemnation thus far is notable, particularly given the administration’s past policies towards Israel and the Palestinian territories – such as the removal of sanctions on violent West Bank settlers – and the warnings from the top US diplomat in Israel.
On Wednesday, asked about the sanctions, Trump took an uncharacteristically reserved tone, saying that he would be “speaking to Israel.”
“I understand exactly what’s going on, but I want to find out why all of a sudden does that happen?” he told reporters. The UK briefed the US, including in a call from Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Trump, ahead of the Tuesday announcement, sources said.
The sources suggested Trump and Rubio’s reaction may indicate discomfort with Israeli policies in the West Bank. Despite Trump saying that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, Israel has only entrenched its control of the territory, expanding settlements and seizing territory.
