The report on Saturday night by American news website Axios that the U.S. is expected to announce sanctions within days on Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) battalion Netzah Yehuda for human rights violations in the occupied West Bank is roiling the war cabinet of the Jewish nation.
The Axios report says that it would be the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions on an Israeli military unit.
Already, Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu has responded, warning it is “forbidden to impose sanctions on the Israel Defence Forces.”
In a statement on X, Netanyahu said he had been “working against the imposition of sanctions on Israeli citizens. At a time when our soldiers are fighting the monsters of terror, the intention to impose a sanction on a unit in the IDF is the height of absurdity and a moral low.
“The government headed by me will act by all means against these moves.”
His political rival and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz has echoed his remarks, warning that sanctions would set a “dangerous precedent.”
“I have great appreciation for our American friends, but the decision to impose sanctions on an IDF unit and its soldiers sets a dangerous precedent and conveys the wrong message to our shared enemies during war time,” he said.
“I intend on acting to have this decision changed.”
Meanwhile, the IDF says it is unaware of any U.S. sanctions against one of its battalions, after a report claimed Washington is planning such a step against a unit for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank.
The military said that its Netzah Yehuda battalion – which is reportedly the target of potential sanctions – is an active combat unit that operates according to the “principles of international law.
“Following publications about sanctions against the battalion, the IDF is not aware of the issue,” Military Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.
“If a decision is made on the matter it will be reviewed. The IDF works and will continue to work to investigate any unusual event in a practical manner and according to law.”
