WASHINGTON: The United States appears close to sanctioning an Israeli military unit over human rights violations in the occupied West Bank, a move Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angrily denounced as “the height of absurdity.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at the possibility of sanctions during a press interaction in Italy, responding to questions about reports suggesting cuts in military aid to an Israeli unit involved in violent incidents in the West Bank.
While Blinken did not provide specific details, he mentioned that investigations were underway under a law that prohibits sending military aid to foreign security units found violating human rights with impunity. He further indicated that results would be announced soon, stating, “I have made determinations; you can expect to see them in the days ahead.”
The State Department’s actions stem from late 2022 when embassy staff in Israel were directed to investigate alleged abuses in the West Bank by the army’s ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion. Among the incidents under scrutiny was the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian American in January 2022, who suffered a heart attack after being detained.
The suggestion of potential sanctions against Israeli forces elicited a vehement response from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who expressed his opposition through social media, labeling the move as absurd and morally unjustifiable.
Reports from Axios, citing US sources, indicated that Blinken was expected to announce sanctions against the battalion “within days,” which would entail a ban on receiving any US military aid or training.
Earlier recommendations from a special State Department panel in December proposed disqualifying several military and police units serving in the West Bank from receiving US aid, as reported by ProPublica.
Despite these developments, the US House of Representatives recently approved a bill to provide $26 billion in new emergency aid to Israel.
