Israel is concerned about reports that the United States may soon announce sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda battalion of the IDF. Axios, a US news outlet, mentioned this information in an article published on April 20. According to the report, the Netzah Yehuda battalion is at risk of being sanctioned by the US for alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Information from a US news site sparked a strong reaction from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cannot be subjected to sanctions,” he wrote on social media. “In recent weeks, I have been trying to oppose sanctions against Israeli citizens, even in discussions with the US government.”

“The intention to impose sanctions on a unit within the IDF is the height of absurdity and moral bankruptcy,” the Israeli Prime Minister added.

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz also criticized the move, declaring that Netzah Yehuda is “an indispensable part of the IDF.” He further stated that Israel has a “strong and independent” judicial system capable of addressing any violations.

Unexpected and angry expressions emerged in Israel right after its leadership expressed gratitude for the US House of Representatives passing a large military aid package for Tel Aviv, which was part of a $95 billion foreign aid bill postponed since late last year.

Citing anonymous sources, Axios reported that the sanctions orders would prohibit the transfer of US weapons to Netzah Yehuda and prevent their troops from training with US forces or engaging in any activities based on funding from Washington, under the Leahy Law.

Drafted by Senator Patrick Leahy in the late 1990s, the law prohibits the provision of military assistance to individuals or security units involved in serious human rights violations that have not been brought to justice.

One of the sources cited stated that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken decided not to penalize other Israeli military units and police that are under investigation by the government, as they have reportedly made behavioral adjustments.

A government official told this news outlet that the decision to sanction Netzah Yehuda was based on a study of incidents in the West Bank conducted before Hamas’ raid in October last year.

Secretary Blinken himself also announced on April 19th that he had made a decision regarding allegations of Israeli forces violating the Leahy Law.

Netzah Yehuda was established to allow ultra-Orthodox Jewish soldiers and those of other religious backgrounds in Israel to serve without feeling that they are compromising their beliefs. Soldiers in Netzah Yehuda have less interaction with female soldiers compared to other units and have additional time for prayer and religious study.

They have been at the center of some controversies in the past regarding right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians, particularly the death of Omar As’ad in 2022. As’ad, 78 years old and a Palestinian-American, was allegedly killed after being detained by soldiers from the battalion, handcuffed, blindfolded, and left in near-freezing conditions.

Israel relocated Netzah Yehuda from the West Bank in December 2022, although they denied responsibility for As’ad’s death. Since then, the battalion has primarily served in the northern part of the country.