International Desk: The Biden administration is ready to impose sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda Battalion of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) due to allegations of human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank. The Times of Israel and Haaretz reported this information on Axios News on Saturday.
This is the first time that the United States has announced any such action against Israel.
The battalion has been linked to right-wing extremism and several acts of violence against Palestinians in the past. Particularly notable is the death of 78-year-old Palestinian-American Omar Asad in 2022. He died while in custody of the battalion’s soldiers. He was handcuffed and blindfolded at the time of his death.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials are angry with such news.
Israel moved the battalion out of the West Bank in December 2022. The unit has since operated in northern Israel. It has also been deployed in the Gaza Strip in the ongoing war against Hamas.
The IDF should not be banned, an angry Netanyahu wrote on X. I am working against the ban on Israeli citizens, including my conversations with the American administration. At one time, our soldiers were fighting against terrorists. The IDF’s intention to impose sanctions against such a unit is absurd. Low work in principle.
Netanyahu also vowed to fight the move.
War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said infantry units are an integral part of the IDF. It is governed by military and international law. Israel has’strong and independent’ courts. Courts are capable of dealing with allegations of infringement.
Israel expressed surprise and anger after leaders expressed deep gratitude to the United States after the US House passed a major military aid package for the Jewish state on Sunday.
Axios reports, citing unnamed American sources, that the US arms supply to the battalion will be cut due to the sanctions. Also, troops from this unit must refrain from training with US forces or participating in any US-sponsored activities.
