Tensions are building between Israel and the United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister reacted strongly to information according to which Washington could sanction an Israeli army unit for possible abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank before the Hamas attack in October.
“The Israeli army must not be sanctioned!” » wrote Benyamin Netanyahu on “, he said on Saturday.
The “Netzah Yehuda” battalion singled out
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also came to the aid of the targeted unit which, according to American and Israeli media, is the “Netzah Yehuda” battalion, made up largely of ultra-Orthodox soldiers.
“The damage caused to one unit affects our entire army, this is not a welcome step on the part of our friends and allies,” commented the minister in a press release published by his office on the night of Sunday in Monday. After meeting with the Israeli Chief of Staff, General Herzi Halevi, Yoav Gallant also declared that he was studying “the measures to be taken to prevent the implementation” of the sanctions.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was questioned about reports that the United States would cease military aid to certain units of the Israeli army, in connection with possible human rights violations in the West Bank before the 7 October and the unprecedented Hamas attack. “I have come to conclusions. You can expect to know them in the days to come,” he replied.
OUR FILE ON THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
The US official then referred to the “Leahy Act”, which prohibits the US government from using funds to assist foreign security force units when there is credible information implicating them in human rights violations. According to him, “it is an important law that we apply at all levels”. “And when we carry out these investigations (…), it takes time. This must be done very carefully, both in terms of gathering the facts and analyzing them, and that is exactly what we have done. And I think it’s fair to say that you will see the results very soon.” Benyamin Netanyahu promised to act “by all means” against possible sanctions targeting Israeli soldiers.
On Saturday, the American House of Representatives voted on a huge plan including $13 billion in military aid to Israel, in particular to strengthen the Israeli anti-missile shield, called “Iron Dome”.