The Biden administration may announce sanctions against an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank ahead of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-led terrorists, according to reports.
Axios reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken may announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces battalion Netza Yehuda in the coming days, marking the first time the US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli-run military unit. Ta.
If sanctions are imposed, the battalion and its members will no longer receive any type of training or support from the U.S. military, officials told the publication.
The Leahy Act prohibits the United States from providing any type of foreign aid or Department of Defense training to countries suspected of human rights abuses based on reliable information.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria, March 15, 2024. (Reuters/Evelyn Hochstein/Pool)
Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department and White House, but did not immediately receive a response.
In a meeting with reporters Friday, Blinken was asked about Israeli human rights abuses in the West Bank and recommendations his ministry had made to reduce military aid to certain Israeli forces.
Mr. Blinken began by saying that the Leahy Act is important and will apply across the board.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) meet in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 3, 2023. (Amos Ben Gershom (GPO)/Anadolu, via Getty Images)
“When you’re doing these investigations and investigations, it’s time-consuming and you have to be very careful in both gathering and analyzing the facts, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.” he said. “And I think it’s safe to say we’ll see the results soon. I’ve made the decision. Expect to see the results within a few days.”
On Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on an ally of Israel’s national security minister and two organizations that raised money for an Israeli man accused of assaulting settlers. The new sanctions come in addition to other sanctions imposed on five settlers and two unauthorized outposts earlier this year. The tightening of sanctions also signals growing dissatisfaction with the United States with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Friday’s sanctions will reportedly freeze U.S. assets held by the targets, while also prohibiting American persons from doing business with them.
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File photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes his weekly cabinet meeting at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, Israel, on January 7, 2024. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun/Pool/File Photo)
Right-wing politicians in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which is pushing for the expansion of Jewish settlements along with the annexation of the West Bank, reportedly are angry with the Biden administration for its moves against Israeli settlers. It is being
Adding fuel to the fire, tensions between Israel and the United States arose after the latter urged Israel to refrain from attacking Iran.
One of those sanctioned by the United States was Ben Zion Gopstein, founder and leader of the right-wing group Rehabah. The group does not support assimilation with non-Jews and has approximately 5,000 members.
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“Under Mr. Gopstein’s leadership, Rehabah and its members have engaged in acts of violence, acts of violence and intimidation against Palestinians, often in sensitive areas and “They were targeting unstable areas.”
As violence continues to escalate in the West Bank, Miller warned that further measures will be taken if Israel does not take action to stop extremist attacks.
The European Union also agreed to impose sanctions on Rehava and other groups.
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White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during a press conference at the White House in Washington, Monday, March 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
But Israel is not the only target of the United States. In fact, last week, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced sanctions against Iran following the Iranian regime’s attack on Israel last Saturday.
The sanctions were announced as Republicans criticized the Biden administration for not being tough enough on Iran, and the White House extended $10 billion in funds previously escrowed to Iran until November 2023. pointed out the exemption.
Sullivan said the actions the United States is taking “will continue steady pressure to contain and reduce Iran’s military capabilities and effectiveness and confront a full range of problematic behavior.”
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“Over the past three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, the United States has sanctioned more than 600 individuals and entities associated with terrorism, terrorist financing, other illicit trade, horrific human rights violations, and support for terrorist proxies.” Groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah,” the statement added.
“The pressure will continue. We will continue to work with our allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, without hesitation, to take action to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malign and destabilizing actions.” Ta.
Fox News Digital’s Andrea Vacchiano and Reuters contributed to this report.
