Netanyahu appalled

USA wants to sanction Israeli army unit

Members of the Netzach Jehuda battalion during an exercise

(Bild: AFP)

Apparently, the allies are slowly losing patience with Israel. After Israeli settlers in the West Bank have already landed on a sanctions list of the USA and the EU, a battalion of the Israeli military is now being targeted by Washington. The ultra-Orthodox Netzach Yehuda battalion is accused of human rights violations.

The US news portal "Axios" reported on Saturday, citing three people familiar with the matter, that Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the unit in the coming days.

Israel warns of "dangerous" precedent
It would be the first time that the US has imposed sanctions against an Israeli military unit. According to Axios, these measures would exclude the members of the battalion from receiving military support or training from the US. The Israeli government reacted indignantly to the report - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the intention to impose sanctions as the "height of absurdity" and a "moral low point".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is appalled by the US plans.

(Bild: AFP)

Israeli Defence Minister Joav Galant also criticized the apparently planned measures: "I expect the American government to reverse its intention to impose sanctions against the Netzach Yehuda battalion," Gallant said in a statement published by the Ministry of Defence, warning that the planned move would set a "dangerous" precedent. 

Incidents took place before Hamas attack
The possible sanctions are reportedly based on incidents that took place in the West Bank before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The battalion was associated with right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians. Israel withdrew the unit from the West Bank in December 2022 and has since deployed it mainly in the north of the country.

Members of the Netzach Yehuda Battalion during an exercise

(Bild: AFP)

It was originally founded in 1999 as a showcase project with 30 soldiers in order to facilitate access to military service for ultra-Orthodox men who are exempt from military service. The combat unit is considered a success and now comprises around a thousand soldiers.

Troops are becoming increasingly radicalized
Although the ultra-Orthodox also serve in other army units, the Netzach Yehuda Battalion is different in that it caters to the special sensitivities of strictly religious Jews. They are given extra time for prayers and religious studies. Their contact with female soldiers is also limited.

In addition to young men from the ultra-Orthodox spectrum, the battalion has also increasingly taken on members of the national-religious settler movement over the years, who are close to the far-right parties of ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, among others. Recently, criticism of the unit has therefore increased, among other things due to alleged attacks by soldiers on Palestinians.