Key facts
- A draft US statement prepared in early September condemned UK, French, and Canadian plans to block imports from Israeli settlements.
- The draft statement described the countries' actions as hostile and linked them to antisemitism.
- The statement was not supported by the White House and senior State Department leadership.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not outright criticize the countries' plans.
- US public support for Israel has fallen, particularly among Democrats, since the Gaza war began in 2023.
- Younger Republicans have become more critical of Israel, with 57% of those aged 18-49 holding an unfavorable opinion in March.
A draft statement prepared by US officials in early September, intended for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemned planned import bans on Israeli settlements by the UK, France, and Canada. The document, reviewed by Reuters, described these actions as hostile and drawing from the playbook of the antisemitic boycotts, divestments, and sanctions movement. However, the statement was never released because it lacked support from the White House and senior State Department leadership, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Instead of issuing the strong condemnation, Rubio, speaking to reporters on September 8, stated he had no comment on the UK's announcement. This episode highlights a growing divide within the US government and the American right regarding support for Israel and its settlement policies. While President Donald Trump has expressed opposition to settlement expansion, his administration has exerted little pressure on Israel to change its policies, sometimes putting him at odds with his ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, a staunch supporter of settlements.
Public support for Israel in the US has seen a decline, particularly among Democrats, since the Gaza war began in 2023. A June Quinnipiac University poll indicated that 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats believe the US is too supportive of Israel. Younger Republicans have also shown increasing criticism, with a Pew Research Center poll from March revealing that 57% of Republicans aged 18-49 hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel. This contrasts with older Republicans, among whom large majorities view Israel positively. Trump himself has previously stated disagreements with Netanyahu over the West Bank and has opposed its annexation.