The Israeli prime minister issued a statement after a report claimed the U.S. plans to blacklist an IDF unit for alleged human rights violations in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning sanctions on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after a report surfaced claiming that the Biden administration is set to blacklist a unit for alleged human rights violations in Gaza.

Top U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, have been increasingly critical of Israel’s military offensive in the besieged territory, where the mounting civilian death toll has sparked protests around the world.

When asked at a news conference in Italy on Friday about reports that the State Department has recommended the blacklisting of certain Israeli units from receiving U.S military aid over possible human rights abuses in the West Bank, Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not outright confirm the reports but said results are expected “very soon.”

Adding to the friction between the U.S. and longtime ally Israel, an Axios report published on Saturday stated that within days Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the IDF’s “Netzah Yehuda” battalion for alleged human rights abuses.

  • FrostyTrichs@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    231·
    8 months ago

    How common/uncommon is this? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a unit being sanctioned rather than the government that gives them orders. Seems like a bullshit slap on the wrist.

    • wewbull@feddit.ukEnglish
      221·
      8 months ago

      Seems especially hypocritical on the day $26B of aid for Israel is passed in Congress.

    • MicroWave@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      15·
      8 months ago

      According to ProPublica, it’s commonly done using Leahy Laws:

      The recommendations came from a special committee of State Department officials known as the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum. The panel, made up of Middle East and human rights experts, is named for former Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the chief author of 1997 laws that requires the U.S. to cut off assistance to any foreign military or law enforcement units — from battalions of soldiers to police stations — that are credibly accused of flagrant human rights violations.

      …

      Over the years, hundreds of foreign units, including from Mexico, Colombia and Cambodia, have been blocked from receiving any new aid. Officials say enforcing the Leahy Laws can be a strong deterrent against human rights abuses.

      https://www.propublica.org/article/israel-gaza-blinken-leahy-sanctions-human-rights-violations