The US plans to impose sanctions on the Israeli military unit for abuses

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would fight against any sanctions imposed on Israeli military units over alleged rights abuses, after a US media outlet reported that Washington is planning such a move.

US-based news site Axios reported on Saturday that Washington planned to impose sanctions on Israel’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which operated in the occupied West Bank, although the Israeli military said it was not aware of such measures.

Israeli media also identified the unit expected to be targeted as Netzah Yehuda – an infantry battalion created about a quarter of a century ago to absorb ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the army.

On Friday, the US announced a new round of sanctions linked to Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, the latest sign of growing American frustration over the policies of Netanyahu, whose coalition government relies on settler parties.

“If anyone thinks he can impose sanctions on any unit of the (Israeli army) – I will fight that with all my strength,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday.

Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement on Sunday that he had spoken to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and asked him to reconsider the matter.

Gantz said such sanctions would be a mistake because they would damage Israel’s legitimacy in times of war.

Blinken said Friday that he has taken “a firm stand” on allegations that Israel has violated a series of U.S. laws that ban providing military assistance to individuals or security forces who commit gross human rights abuses.

Blinken said, without giving details, that his department was investigating under a law that bans sending military aid to foreign security units that abuse human rights with impunity.

He then added: “I think it’s fair to say that you will see results very quickly. I’ve made decisions; you can expect them in the coming days.

Murders ‘for no real reason’
In addition, Israeli Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli called on Sunday for the dismantling of the Netzah Yehuda army unit, saying it is killing Palestinians “for no real reason.”

“The sanctions are a recognition of reality and an understanding that Israel’s behavior in the areas cannot continue,” Michaeli said on X.

“The violent and corrupt behavior of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion and those around it has been known for years, and nothing has been done to stop it.”

Earlier this week, the investigative news organization ProPublica reported that a special U.S. State Department panel known as the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum months ago recommended Blinken disqualify multiple Israeli military and police units from receiving U.S. aid, after accusations of human rights. violations.

The incidents that were the subject of the allegations took place in the occupied West Bank and largely occurred before Israel’s war on Gaza began on October 7, the newspaper said.

Before the Gaza War, violence in the West Bank was already on the rise, and has increased since then with frequent Israeli military attacks, Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages, and Palestinian attacks on Israeli forces and settlers.

The Israeli army said the Netzah Yehuda Battalion is an active combat unit that operates in accordance with the principles of international law.

The Israeli military said it was “not aware of the issue” following publications on sanctions against the battalion.

“If a decision is made on this matter, it will be reviewed,” the report said, pledging to “continue to work to investigate any unusual occurrence in a practical manner and in accordance with the law.”

In 2022, Netzah Yehuda’s battalion commander was reprimanded and two officers were fired over the death of an elderly Palestinian-American held by the unit’s soldiers in the West Bank, an incident that raised concerns in Washington.

There have been several other incidents in recent years, some captured on video, in which Netzah Yehuda soldiers have been charged or accused of abusing Palestinian prisoners.

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