The Biden administration has decided not to withhold military aid from an Israeli military unit accused of human rights violations in the West Bank as long as Israel takes steps to hold members accountable. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken confirmed in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson that the U.S. is working with Israel regarding charges against the Netzah Yehuda battalion.
The State Department found that Netzah Yehuda had committed “gross human rights violations” against Palestinians in the West Bank. This decision comes amidst growing calls to restrict aid to Israel over its military offensive in Gaza. However, President Biden has not placed conditions on aid related to the Gaza war.
Under the Leahy Law, the U.S. must deny aid to foreign military units responsible for human rights violations without accountability. The Biden administration has found similar violations in two other Israeli military units and two civilian units but aid was not withheld because Israel was taking action to hold members accountable.
In January 2022, Netzah Yehuda soldiers bound and gagged a Palestinian American who died of a heart attack in military custody. Despite this incident, no other Israeli units have been found culpable of rights violations under the Leahy Law.
Mr. Blinken is planning to travel to Israel to discuss various issues, including the situation with Netzah Yehuda, which has been accused of mistreating Palestinians. The Biden administration’s deliberations on aid will not affect support for Israel’s defense against threats from Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah, or others.
