The US State Department is conducting a thorough investigation into allegations of human rights abuses by Israel and the potential involvement of American weapons in such violations. According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the probe follows the same rigorous standards applied to all other countries.
In the coming days, the State Department is expected to announce restrictions on military assistance for certain units of the Israeli military, including the Netzah Yehuda battalion. This move is prompted by credible reports of human rights abuses committed by these units.
The Leahy Law requires the US to suspend aid to foreign military or law enforcement units found to have engaged in human rights violations. Blinken emphasized the meticulous nature of the investigation, noting that the department carefully gathers all relevant information before reaching any conclusions.
The potential US sanctions have met with resistance from both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz, who conveyed their concerns to Blinken. Gantz argued that the decision would undermine Israel’s international legitimacy and is unwarranted given the country’s robust and independent judicial system.
Blinken acknowledged Israel’s efforts in self-policing and conducting investigations into wrongdoing. He noted that Israel has numerous ongoing probes into alleged human rights violations and expressed his belief that internal accountability is crucial for democracies.
The Biden administration has expedited arms shipments to Israel for its conflict against Hamas in Gaza but has also criticized Israel’s military for the high civilian death toll. In March, the administration took the unprecedented step of sanctioning individual Israelis for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The State Department’s 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices condemns Hamas’s attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, injuries to over 5,400, and the abduction of 253 hostages. It also raises concerns about Israel’s conduct during the war, citing credible reports of serious abuses by both sides.
