The United States has determined that an unnamed Israeli military unit committed gross human rights abuses against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank prior to the commencement of the war in Gaza six months ago. Secretary of State Antony Blinken disclosed this finding in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson. However, the U.S. has deferred its decision on whether to impose sanctions on the unit, pending a review of new information provided by Israel.
Israeli leaders have vehemently protested any potential restrictions on U.S. aid, stressing that American military support for Israel’s defense against Hamas and other threats remains unaffected. Blinken emphasized this distinction, stating that the State Department’s final decision on the specific unit would not impact U.S. military assistance for Israel’s defense.
The U.S. scrutiny pertains solely to a particular Israeli unit and its actions in the West Bank before the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza. While Blinken’s letter does not explicitly identify the unit, it is believed to be Netzah Yehuda, which has a history of operating in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The unit and some of its members have been linked to human rights abuses against Palestinian civilians, including the fatal detention of a 78-year-old Palestinian American man in 2022.
Blinken stated that the Israeli government has yet to adequately address the abuses committed by the military unit. However, he also noted that Israel has presented new information regarding the unit’s status, and the U.S. will engage with Israel to determine an effective path for remediation.
Under the Leahy Law, enacted in 1997, the U.S. is obligated to cut off military aid to any foreign army unit found to have committed serious violations of international law or human rights. However, the law allows for a waiver if the military has held the perpetrators accountable and implemented reforms to prevent future abuses. The Leahy Law has never been invoked against Israel, a close ally of the United States.
The U.S. review of the Israeli unit’s conduct coincides with ongoing protests and counterprotests on American college campuses, as well as broader debates within U.S. domestic and foreign policy circles regarding American military assistance for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
