U.S. FREEZES PLANS TO SANCTION IDF UNIT EMBROILED IN ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

U.S. Freezes Plans to Sanction IDF Unit Embroiled in Alleged Human Rights Violations

Four of five units under review have undergone proper remediation steps by Israel, according to a letter by Secretary of State Antony Blinken obtained by ABC. The allegations involving the units occurred before the current war in Gaza

April 26th, 14PM April 26th, 18PM

The U.S. has delayed the looming decision to block military aid to an Israeli army unit over human rights violations – a potential landmark moment in the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship – while it reviews newly provided information from Israel over the suspected offending incidents.

According to an ABC News report, the Biden administration's decision was outlined in an undated letter by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to House Speaker Mike Johnson, regarding whether the possible sanctions would impact any of the supplemental aid given to Israel by the U.S.

Despite the effective freeze, the U.S. assessment of the battalion's human rights record has not changed and could still choose to enforce the law if the U.S. deems the necessary fixes have not been sufficiently put into place.

The allegations involving the units in review – three military and two civilian – occurred before the current war in Gaza. According to Blinken's letter, four out of five have undergone proper remediation steps.

Blinken also noted that Israel has "acknowledged" that another IDF battalion had engaged in "conduct inconsistent" with Israel's rules. As a result, the unit was transferred from the West Bank to the Golan Heights in 2022. ABC said the description matches the IDF's ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion.

"The Israeli government has presented new information regarding the status of the unit, and we will engage on identifying a path to effective remediation for this unit," Blinken wrote.

The United States was expected to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion because of its involvement in human rights violations in the West Bank, and was considering measures against other military and police units in Israel, sources in the Biden administration involved in the discussions told Haaretz.

Israeli officials, U.S. lawmakers and even senior U.S. officials have pressed Blinken in recent days over the plan to enforce the Leahy Law against the battalion.

Israeli legal officials have further been in frequent contact with their U.S. counterparts in recent days over specific complaints concerning Netza Yehudah, attempting to clarify the legal state of various allegations against the unit.

The meaning of the decision, which the Israeli Walla News website reported on Saturday, was that U.S. military equipment sold to Israel will not be able to reach the battalion, or any other unit on which similar sanctions will be imposed. In addition, the commanders and soldiers of the battalion will not be able to take part in joint training with the U.S. Army.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that "the intention to impose sanctions on an IDF unit is the height of absurdity and a moral low," and added that he will take all necessary action to oppose the move."

2024-04-26T12:00:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd