The United States is reportedly considering imposing sanctions on other units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for alleged human rights violations following the imposition of sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion The Netzah Yehuda battalion, which is an ultra-Orthodox unit based in the West Bank, is expected to be sanctioned based on incidents that predated Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023. The sanctions would bar the military unit from receiving US aid or training.
The decision to impose sanctions on other units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) comes after a special State Department panel recommended months ago that Secretary of State Antony Blinken cut off aid to Israel’s military and police forces following a probe into allegations that the units had committed human rights abuses. Blinken responded to questions about the recommendation and said he had decided based on the investigation’s probe. The sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda battalion would mark the first time the United States has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit.
The US government is also considering similar measures against other police and military units in Israel. The impending sanctions have sparked outrage among Israeli political leaders, who have vowed to oppose them. These units are the integral part of Israel Defense Forces (IDF), subject to military law, and operates by international law. The State of Israel has a strong and independent judicial system, which knows how to investigate and examine any violation of the law or deviation from IDF orders. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is a crucial part of Israel’s defense and security, and any sanctions on the IDF could further strain relations between the US and Israel.
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