US weighs more sanctions on Israeli forces, Netanyahu vows to 'fight it'
The US is considering imposing sanctions on other Israeli military and police units over its alleged human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, two US sources said on Sunday. This came close on the heels of the Joe Biden administration's plan to sanction the Netzah Yehuda battalion, in a move that could strain ties between the two allies amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would fight against sanctions on any Israeli military unit "with all my strength", The Times of Israel reported. "If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces), I will fight it with all my strength," he said in a statement.
The Netzah Yehuda battalion has been mired in past controversies over allegations of violence against Palestinians. This also included the death of Omar As'ad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American who died after the battalion soldiers detained him. He was handcuffed, blindfolded and later found abandoned in near-freezing conditions.
A source predicted that other Western countries may follow suit and impose sanctions on Israeli military units accused of violence against Palestinians.
In a statement, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that the planned move by the US would set a "dangerous" precedent while he spoke with IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi on Sunday on how to prevent the planned sanctions from being imposed.
"Any attempt to vilify an entire unit casts a heavy shadow on the actions of the IDF to protect the citizens of Israel and thwart terror elements. Harm to one battalion is harm to the entire defence establishment. This is not the way to behave with partners and friends," Gallant was quoted as saying in a statement.
