The US is reportedly considering imposing sanctions on several Israeli military and police units for human rights violations against Palestinians, according to sources speaking to “The Times of Israel.”
These potential sanctions would include the “Netzah Yehuda” battalion, which the Biden administration is set to list this week.
The U.S. State Department has been investigating Netzah Yehuda and other Israeli security units for over a year for human rights abuses.
The Israeli military stated on Sunday that it was unaware of any American sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda military battalion.
This statement came after media reports suggested that Washington plans to make such a decision due to the unit’s human rights violations.
In a statement, the Israeli military said, “Should such a decision be taken, we will consider its implications.”
It emphasized that soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda battalion are currently engaged in operations in the Gaza Strip and are fully committed to international law.
The statement added that the Israeli military continues to investigate any unusual incidents in a practical manner and by the law.
The sanctions would prevent the battalion and its members from receiving US military aid and training, based on human rights violations recorded in the West Bank prior to October 7.
Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, discussed on the Israeli Army Radio the potential of imposing U.S. sanctions not only on the Netzah Yehuda but possibly extending to other brigades such as “Golani” and the Paratroopers Brigade, describing it as a “slippery slope” for the Israeli military.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the anticipated U.S. sanctions against the military unit, stating, “It is inappropriate to impose sanctions on our army, and we will act by all means against these measures.”
