Human rights violations

US government: 5 Israeli units affected

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken could refuse military cooperation to the ultra-Orthodox battalion of the Israeli army, which is suspected of having committed human rights violations. The allegations are still being investigated, according to Washington.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Thomas Padilla)

The US State Department has accused five Israeli army units of "serious human rights violations". However, very few of them are likely to face sanctions.

These violations were committed against Palestinians in the West Bank and occurred before the major attack on Israel by the radical Islamic Hamas on October 7, the State Department in Washington announced on Monday. However, it was noted that four of these units had already taken "corrective action" to avoid US sanctions.

Washington apparently continues to view the ultra-Orthodox Netzach Yehuda Battalion as problematic. 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.

Members of the Netzach Yehuda Battalion at morning prayers

(Bild: AFP/MENAHEM KAHANA)

Troops are becoming increasingly radicalized
Although ultra-Orthodox soldiers also serve in other army units, the Netzach Jehuda 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. As a result, criticism of the unit has recently increased, among other things due to alleged attacks by soldiers on Palestinians. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (right)

(Bild: AP)

Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir

(Bild: AP)

Palestinian prisoner suffers heart attack
Netzach Yehuda soldiers in the West Bank are said to have been responsible for the violent death of Palestinian Omar Assad: The US dual national died of a heart attack in 2022 after being arrested and later abandoned at a construction site. According to a Palestinian investigation, the 80-year-old died of a stress-related heart attack caused by mistreatment.

Change of course in Washington?
The US government is prohibited by law from funding or arming foreign military units against which there are credible allegations of human rights violations. US President Joe Biden's administration supports Israel in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, although Biden has been increasingly critical of Israel's conduct of the war in recent months.