In first, US said poised to sanction IDF unit for alleged rights violations in West Bank

The Biden administration is slated to announce sanctions against the IDF’s Netzah Yehuda battalion for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank, the Walla news site reports, in what would be the first time the US has ever taken such a step.

Citing American sources, the report says the sanctions would bar the transfer of US weapons to the ultra-Orthodox infantry unit and prevent its soldiers from training with US forces or taking part in any activities with US funding.

One of the sources is quoted saying that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken decided not to sanction other military and police units that the administration was investigating, as it had seen adjustments in their conduct.

An administration official tells the news site that the decision to sanction Netzah Yehuda was based on research done before October 7 that examined incidents in the West Bank.

The report comes days after ProPublica said a State Department panel recommended that Blinken sanction several Israeli units for alleged rights abuses, including Netzah Yehuda, some of whose soldiers were investigated by the IDF over the 2022 death of an elderly Palestinian-American in the West Bank but not charged.

The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the report.