In an unprecedented move, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces' "Netzah Yehuda" battalion due to alleged human rights violations in the West Bank, according to sources familiar with the matter. This decision marks the first time the U.S. government has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit, signaling a notable shift in its approach to military aid and human rights.
The impending sanctions will prohibit the Netzah Yehuda battalion, known for its composition of ultra-orthodox soldiers, from receiving U.S. military assistance or training. This action stems from a 1997 law, often referred to as the Leahy Law, which forbids U.S. foreign aid and Defense Department training programs to foreign military units credibly accused of violating human rights.
DAWN is a US-based tax-exempt organization that has intensified its legal attacks against Israeli officials since October 7. DAWN has officials connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as to the most notorious antisemitic and anti-Israel groups.https://t.co/7B0f3YcM5C
— NGO Monitor (@NGOmonitor) April 21, 2024
These developments follow a recommendation by a special State Department panel, as reported by ProPublica, which investigated several Israeli military and police units operating in the West Bank under the Leahy Law. Although the Netzah Yehuda unit is set to face sanctions, other units investigated have reportedly corrected their conduct and will not be sanctioned.
The controversy surrounding Netzah Yehuda intensified following their involvement in violent incidents against Palestinian civilians, including the highly publicized death of an 80-year-old Palestinian American, Omar Assad, in January 2022. Assad died after being detained by soldiers from the battalion at a checkpoint. This and other similar incidents prompted a reevaluation of the battalion's deployment, eventually leading to their relocation from the West Bank to the Golan Heights in early 2023.
A US move to sanction Netzah Yehuda will be a move to sanction the IDF. It will be an open breach of relations with Israel and Israel should respond in kind. If the unit is sanctioned, Israel should
— Caroline Glick (@CarolineGlick) April 20, 2024
-Ban all US embassy personnel from entering Judea and Samaria.
-Ban the… https://t.co/P9XNI4b6ru
Responding to the U.S. decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the sanctions on social media, calling them "the height of absurdity" and a "moral low," especially as the IDF continues its operations against Hamas. Netanyahu vowed that his government would counteract these U.S. moves by all available means.
This decision by the U.S. State Department underscores the increasing scrutiny and expectations placed on military operations concerning human rights standards, highlighting the complex dynamics between U.S. foreign policy, military aid, and human rights advocacy.
