Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning sanctions on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after a report surfaced claiming that the Biden administration is set to blacklist a unit for alleged human rights violations in Gaza.
Top U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, have been increasingly critical of Israel’s military offensive in the besieged territory, where the mounting civilian death toll has sparked protests around the world.
When asked at a news conference in Italy on Friday about reports that the State Department has recommended the blacklisting of certain Israeli units from receiving U.S military aid over possible human rights abuses in the West Bank, Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not outright confirm the reports but said results are expected “very soon.”
Adding to the friction between the U.S. and longtime ally Israel, an Axios report published on Saturday stated that within days Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the IDF’s “Netzah Yehuda” battalion for alleged human rights abuses.
I’m very interested if this serves multiple purposes for the Biden administration, aimed at weakening the Likud-coalition given the ultra-orthodox/Haredi factions are the political kingmakers currently for Bibi - not just general pressure by the US against illegal settlements and sectarianism. As in, is this part of Biden administration’s approach to isolate and neuter Netanyahu, break up the coalition, and force elections? Given that the US-Israel alliance seems firm despite recent diplomatic spats.
Jumping from sanctioning civilian settlers and political individual, to sanctioning an entire battalion is big. And almost certainly means the US has firm evidence or strong suspicion about abuses and war crimes.