Israel Stance: Netanyahu Pledges Resistance to US Sanctions on Army Units
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adamantly pledged to oppose any sanctions imposed on the country’s military following reports indicating that the United States intends to reduce aid to a specific unit.
“I will fight it with all my strength,” declared the prime minister on Sunday.
Earlier, Axios reported that the US plans to target Israel’s Netzah Yehuda battalion due to alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
According to sources, any such action would fall under a US ban on aid to foreign units credibly implicated in violations.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at forthcoming determinations regarding aid to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) units last week.
Israel’s principal ally, the United States, has never before suspended aid to an IDF unit.
The Israeli military asserts that the Netzah Yehuda battalion operates within the bounds of international law.
In response to the reports on potential sanctions, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant urged the US to withdraw its intention, emphasizing the critical importance of US-Israel relations.
“If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF, I will fight it,” affirmed Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Axios cited US sources, indicating that Secretary Blinken is expected to announce measures against Netzah Yehuda imminently, allegedly due to abuses in the West Bank, including a January 2022 incident resulting in the death of 80-year-old Palestinian-American Omar Assad.
The IDF expressed regret over Assad’s death and announced disciplinary measures against those involved.
Alleged violations, including the incident involving Assad, occurred before the Hamas attack on Israel from Gaza in October.
Any decision to bar an IDF unit from US assistance would be made under the “Leahy Law,” which prevents funding or training for units involved in gross human rights violations.
Last year, the “Israel-Leahy vetting forum” investigated numerous allegations against Israeli units, including Netzah Yehuda. However, recommendations for action were reportedly hindered at the political level.
Netzah Yehuda, established in 1999, comprises ultra-Orthodox Jewish members.
In a separate development, the US recently imposed sanctions on Israeli far-right activist Ben-Zion Gopstein for his alleged involvement in destabilizing violence in the West Bank through his organization, Lehava.
Comment Template