US Considering Sanctions Against Israeli Military Unit Over Alleged Human Rights Abuses

There have been reports of the United States considering imposing sanctions on an Israeli military unit, specifically Netzah Yehuda, for alleged human rights violations during operations in the occupied West Bank. This would be a first for the US and has been met with strong condemnation from Israeli leaders. The Netzah Yehuda battalion, founded roughly a quarter of a century ago, is an infantry battalion where many religious men receive exemptions from mandatory military service. There have been past controversies regarding right-wing extremism connected to the unit. The US State Department directed embassy staff in Israel to investigate alleged abuses in the West Bank late last year. The decision to impose sanctions is expected to be announced in the coming days and would prevent the soldiers from receiving US aid or participating in training with the US military or programs funded by the US, due to the Leahy Law which bars such aid for foreign military units that have committed human rights abuses. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to fight against any sanctions imposed on Israeli military units for alleged rights violations.