Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly criticized the US government’s plan to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The reported sanctions stem from allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by the battalion’s soldiers against Palestinians in the West Bank. There are indications that the Biden administration intends to add the battalion, which is regarded as elite within the IDF, to its blacklist.
On Saturday Netanyahu stated, “Sanctioning the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would be absurd and a moral low point. Our soldiers are battling terrorist threats, and such intentions are misguided.” He added, “The government of Israel that I lead will act with all means against these moves,”
“Labeling sanctions against our soldiers as a ‘red line,’ Minister Itamar Ben Gvir emphasized the gravity of the situation. He further asserted that safeguarding the members of the Netzah Yehuda battalion is paramount.”
He also urged Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who is known for his hawkish stance within the Israeli government, not to yield to the dictates of the United States.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vehemently opposed the US’s intention to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion. He characterized the move as utterly absurd and part of a larger plan to pressure Israel into accepting a Palestinian state while compromising its security.
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