US Sanctions IDF Unit Over Palestinian Rights Violations; Netanyahu Responds

Axios reports that the Biden administration is considering imposing sanctions on the IDF’s Netzah Yehuda battalion for the first time, citing alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The Netzah Yehuda battalion, which has been involved in previous controversies including accusations of right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians, was relocated from the West Bank to the north of Israel in December 2022. Despite denials from Israel that the relocation was due to misconduct, the unit has also been active in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing conflicts with Hamas.

Potential sanctions could include barring the supply of U.S. weapons to the ultra-Orthodox infantry unit, preventing its members from training with U.S. forces, and excluding them from activities funded by the U.S. under the Leahy Laws.

Israeli officials have reacted strongly against the possibility of sanctions. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on X, formerly Twitter, “Sanctions must not be imposed on the Israel Defense Forces! At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low. The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves.”

Defense Minister Benny Gantz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the Netzah Yehuda Battalion operates under military and international law and is subject to Israel’s robust and independent judicial system, which investigates any legal violations or deviations from military orders.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the potential sanctions as “absolute madness” and indicative of broader pressures from the Biden administration to influence Israeli policy towards the Palestinians, including the push for a Palestinian state.