Israel's prime minister said his country would counter any sanctions targeting Israeli military units for alleged rights violations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would fight any sanctions imposed on Israeli military units for alleged rights violations, after US media reported that the US government was planning such measures. .
US-based news site Axios reported on Saturday that the US plans to impose sanctions on Israel's Netza Yehuda battalion operating in the occupied West Bank, but the Israeli military He said he was not aware of any such measures.
Israeli media also identified the unit expected to be targeted as Netza Yehuda. Netza Yehuda is an infantry battalion created about a quarter century ago to integrate ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military.
On Friday, the United States announced a new set of sanctions related to Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, reflecting American dissatisfaction with the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose coalition government relies on settler parties. This is the latest sign that the situation is on the rise.
“If someone thinks they can impose sanctions on the forces of a state, [Israeli army] “We will fight with all our might,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday.
Israel's war minister, Benny Gantz, said in a statement on Sunday that he had spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and asked him to reconsider the issue.
Gantz said such sanctions would be a mistake because they would undermine Israel's legitimacy during a war.
Blinken said Friday he had made a “decision” regarding accusations that Israel had violated a series of U.S. laws that prohibit the provision of military aid to individuals and security forces who have committed serious human rights violations.
Blinken did not provide details, but said his department was conducting the investigation under a law that prohibits sending military aid with impunity to foreign security forces that violate human rights.
Furthermore, he added: “I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the results will be immediate. I have made a decision. Expect to see them in the next few days.”
Killed 'for no real reason'
Separately on Sunday, Israeli Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli said Netza Yehuda forces were killing Palestinians “for no justifiable reason” and called for their disbandment.
“Sanctions are a recognition of reality and an understanding that Israeli actions in the territory cannot continue,” Michaeli told X.
“The violent and corrupt behavior of the Netza Yehuda Battalion and those around it has been known for years, but nothing has been done to stop it.”
Earlier this week, investigative news organization ProPublica reported that several months ago, a U.S. State Department task force known as the Israel Leahy Review Forum disqualified several Israeli military and police units from receiving U.S. aid following human rights allegations. Blinken was advised to do so. violation.
The newspaper said the alleged incidents occurred in the occupied West Bank and most occurred before the start of Israel's war on Gaza on October 7.
Violence was already rapidly increasing in the West Bank even before the Gaza War, and since then, Israeli forces have frequently attacked, Israeli settlers have rampaged through Palestinian villages, and Palestinians have attacked Israeli forces and settlers. This makes it even more intense.
The Israeli military said the Netza Yehuda Battalion is an active combat unit that operates in accordance with the principles of international law.
“Following the publication of sanctions against the battalion,” the Israeli military said it was “not aware of this issue.”
“Any decisions made in this matter will be reviewed,” the ministry said, pledging to “continue to investigate unusual events in a pragmatic manner and in accordance with the law.”
In 2022, the Netza Yehuda battalion commander was disciplined and two officers were fired over the death of an elderly Palestinian-American man captured in the West Bank by soldiers in his unit, but the case was brought to light in Washington. caused concern.
There have been several other incidents in recent years, including videos in which Netza Yehuda soldiers are accused or charged with mistreatment of Palestinian detainees.