Will US Sanction More Israeli Battalions? PM Netanyahu Says Will 'Fight It With All My Strength'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday asserted that he will fight against any such sanctions imposed on Israeli military unit for alleged human rights violation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Source : Getty

United States is mulling about imposing sanctions against other Israeli military and police units for allegedly violating human rights of Palestinian civilians, two US sources informed The Times Of Israel. This comes a day after the reports of Washington planning to sanction Israel Defence Force's Netzah Yehuda battalion, a step that could strain the relationship between the two allies amidst Midde East conflict.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that he will fight against any such sanctions imposed on Israeli military unit for alleged human rights violation, news agency Reuters reported. "If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) - I will fight it with all my strength," Netanyahu stated in a statement.

For over a year, Biden administration has been probing the Netzah Yehuda battalion along with other IDF's units in connection with the alleged human rights violations, according to The Times Of Israel.

Israel's Netzah Yehuda battalion has been entangled in the previous rows in connection with its right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians, included the 2022 death of 78 years old Palestinian named Omar As'ad. He died after being detained, handcuffed, blindfolded, and was abandoned in near-freezing conditions by the soldiers of the battalion, the Times of Israel reported.

According to a source, it is anticipated that more Western countries might follow the example of US and impose sanctions on Israeli military units accused of committing violence against Palestinians.

If the US imposes sanctions on Netzah Yehuda and other battalions, these units would be restricted from utilising US military assistance for procuring weaponry. Nonetheless, Israel retains the option to utilise its own funds for purchasing arms for these units, as stated by a second source.