Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed potential sanctions on Israel’s military following reports of US considerations to cut aid to the country’s Netzah Yehuda battalion over alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
The US House of Representatives has approved $13 billion in military assistance to Israel, but discussions have emerged regarding the targeting of specific units involved in alleged abuses. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at forthcoming determinations regarding aid to units implicated in violations.
In response to these developments, Netanyahu vowed to resist any sanctions against Israeli military units, emphasizing the importance of supporting the country’s armed forces. The Israeli Defence Minister echoed these sentiments, expressing concerns about the potential impact on the image of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The scrutiny on the Netzah Yehuda battalion follows incidents such as the death of an 80-year-old Palestinian-American man, Omar Assad, during a search operation in the West Bank. The IDF expressed regret over Assad’s death and announced reprimands and restrictions on involved soldiers.
Any decision on sanctions would be guided by the “Leahy Law,” which bars US funding for foreign units credibly linked to gross human rights violations. Former US officials have raised questions about accountability and transparency regarding Israeli units implicated in violations.
The potential measures highlight ongoing discussions about human rights accountability in the context of military aid and international relations.
