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A top aide to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee allegedly suppressed a detailed embassy report into the killings of nine Americans in the West Bank, according to a report Thursday.

David Milstein, the stepson of Fox News host Mark Levin, frequently suppressed or manipulated reports from staffers at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem to downplay Israeli settler attacks in the West Bank and portray Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in a positive light, The New York Times reported. He also allegedly intervened to suppress a “detailed” report by embassy staffers on the murders of nine U.S. citizens by Israeli settlers and security forces as members of Congress pushed for more information and accountability, according to The New York Times.

After a ninth American, 19-year-old Nasrallah Abu Siyam, was shot dead in the West Bank while trying to prevent settlers from stealing his livestock in February, 30 members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding updates on investigations into the string of killings. The embassy completed a report by March that found the Israeli investigations had gone nowhere, some cases were closed, and no one had been charged. However, Milstein allegedly pushed to send a letter back in response to Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, rather than sending the more detailed report, according to the outlet.

The report also alleges that Milstein has had a chilling effect on embassy staffers, with some staffers expressing concern about his relationship with Levin, a fervent ally of Netanyahu; downplayed the expansion of West Bank settlements, even though President Donald Trump has previously expressed opposition to the Israeli annexation of the West Bank; and dismissed mass casualties amid the delivery of food and aid to Palestinians.

The Daily Caller reached out to the embassy, which referred the Caller to an X post from Huckabee.

The NY Slimes w/ cowardly "anonymous sources" did a hit piece on David Milstein, Sr Policy Advisor @usembassyjlm & asked me for comment. They didn’t use it, but here’s my FULL statement they didn’t have the guts or the integrity to use:
The elements of the story the New York Times is trying to assemble are so lacking in fact that it ranks up with other Times farcical endeavors like the embarrassing ‘dog rape’ story, or the totally debunked story about a small boy being shot in the face by IDF in Gaza (when in fact, the little boy was not only alive but had been evacuated out of Gaza with his mother by Embassy Jerusalem to a safe location in another country to keep him from being murdered by Hamas). I personally and categorically refute the elements of your proposed ‘story’ and I’m surprised that you expect to be taken seriously with such nonsense without even one named source. You surely can do better. You should consult your attorneys as to whether publishing such drivel could subject the Times to litigation for defamation.

There is a reason @realDonaldTrump calls them "Fake News"

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 8, 2026

(Read more from “REPORT: Top Huckabee Aide Downplayed Murders Of American Citizens To Make Israel Look Better” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

A U.S. citizen has died following an alleged attack by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, marking the second American fatality linked to settler violence in less than a month.

Khamis Abdul Latif Ayyad, 41, reportedly died from smoke inhalation after fires were set to vehicles and homes in the village of Silwad, located northeast of Ramallah, late Thursday night. According to reports from the Miami Herald and Palestinian news sources, the fires were allegedly started by Israeli settlers who entered the village under cover of darkness.

The Palestinian Khamis Ayad (45) died of asphyxiation of tear gas fire by the Israeli occupation forces inside his house during the attack of settlers on the village of Silwad east of Ramallah, pre dawn today. pic.twitter.com/HlCJpfpt7Z

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) July 31, 2025

“We can confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in the town of Silwad in the West Bank,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said. “We offer condolences to the family on their loss and are providing consular assistance to them. We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank.”

Ayyad’s family said the fire broke out after settlers torched several cars and homes in the neighborhood. A funeral was held Friday in Silwad. An autopsy has been scheduled to confirm his cause of death.

The attack comes amid growing unrest in the region, where violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians has intensified throughout 2024. Ayyad is now the second American citizen confirmed dead as a result of that violence this month.

On July 11, 20-year-old Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet died after reportedly being beaten by settlers during clashes near the northern West Bank village of Burqa. That incident followed the hurling of rocks at Israeli civilians, which escalated into physical altercations, arson, and blockades, according to the Israeli Defense Forces. Musallet’s injuries allegedly went untreated for two hours because emergency medical crews were denied access by settlers, a friend of the victim told The Washington Post.

Ayyad had lived in the United States with his wife since 2008, but returned to the West Bank with his family during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is remembered by relatives as a devoted husband and father.

“He was loved by everyone,” his brother told reporters. “He caused no problems at all.”

Ayyad leaves behind his wife and five children, ages 6 to 15.

Photo credit: Flickr

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REPORT: Top Huckabee Aide Downplayed Murders Of American Citizens To Make Israel Look Better

Second American Citizen Allegedly Killed by Israeli Settlers in West Bank