US Suggests Sanctioning Israeli Unit for Alleged Human Rights Violations

Recently, in late 2022, the State Department instructed embassy staff in Israel to investigate alleged abuses in the West Bank by the army’s ultra-Orthodox Netzach Yehuda battalion. This directive came after an incident in January 2022, where a 78-year-old Palestinian American died of a heart attack after being detained.

The timing of these allegations is noteworthy as they precede the deadly October 7 attacks by Hamas on southern Israel. In response to the suggestion of sanctions against Israeli forces, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently opposed the idea, stating that the imposition of sanctions on an IDF unit during a period of conflict was morally wrong.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also objected to the possibility of sanctions, highlighting the battalion’s frontline operations and maintaining that they operate in accordance with international law and Israeli military values. Despite these objections, there are reports that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is expected to announce sanctions against the battalion in the coming days.

The proposed sanctions would prohibit the unit from receiving any US military aid or training. Additionally, it was reported that a special State Department panel recommended disqualifying several military and police units serving in the West Bank from receiving any US aid.

These developments occurred amidst the US House of Representatives approving a bill to provide $26 billion in new emergency aid to Israel. This intricate situation involving allegations, investigations, and potential sanctions reflects the complexity of the relationships and dynamics at play in the region.