US backs away from sanctioning “Israeli” army battalion over human rights violations

World

Published: 2024-04-26 14:38

Last Updated: 2024-05-06 14:56


US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with “Israeli” War Cabinet member Benny Gantz (June 3, 2021) (Washington, DC.) (Photo:AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with “Israeli” War Cabinet member Benny Gantz (June 3, 2021) (Washington, DC.) (Photo:AFP)

The United States, after previously considering imposing sanctions on an “Israeli” army battalion for its human rights violations in the West Bank, has reportedly decided to not go ahead with the decision - according to ABC News.

The “Netzah Yehuda” battalion of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), whose members are all ultra-orthodox men, was the planned target of US sanctions, after committing multiple violations in the West Bank towards Palestinian civilians - which prompted the US to start investigating it in 2022.


Also Read: US to sanction “Israeli” army battalion over human rights violations


Despite the Biden administration determining that “gross human rights violations,” no action will be taken and the battalion will remain eligible to receive US military aid and training - per ABC News.

Several “Israeli” officials, with Netanyahu at the forefront, have vehemently rejected the US sanctions.

“Israeli” War Minister Yoav Gallant and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz both met Blinken separately this past week to sway Washington away from its decision.

“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that “sanctions must not be imposed on the Israeli Defense Forces!” in a post on his official “X” account.

The decision to sanction an IOF unit is “the height of absurdity and a moral low,” he added, “I have been working against the imposition of sanctions on Israeli citizens, including in my conversations with senior American government officials.”


Also Read: US warns “Israel” of invoking “Leahy Law”


Earlier in February, the United States has pressed the Israeli Occupation authorities regarding human rights violations committed by its forces against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The US threatened to invoke the “Leahy Law,” a piece of legislation that prohibits the US Department of State and Department of Defense from providing military assistance to foreign security forces that violate human rights with impunity.

The purpose of the Leahy Law, enacted by Congress in 1997, is to prevent the United States from becoming involved in serious crimes committed by foreign forces it supports.

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