The Trump administration chose not to oppose a British-led effort imposing new sanctions targeting Israeli areas in Judea and Samaria, despite disagreeing with the sanctions themselves, U.S. officials and Western diplomats told Axios. The British initiative was joined by 11 other Western countries.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham personally briefed President Trump about the planned measures before they were announced. President Trump did not object to the move or ask Burnham to change course, while U.S. officials told their British counterparts that Washington shared concerns regarding some of the Netanyahu government’s policies in Judea and Samaria.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also refrained from publicly criticizing the British measures. The White House, meanwhile, distanced itself from criticism of the sanctions voiced by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

The decision represents a notable departure from the administration’s previous opposition to international measures targeting Israeli activity in Judea and Samaria and comes amid growing frustration inside the White House with the Netanyahu government’s policies in the area, Axios reported.

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