ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. A special State Department panel recommended that Secretary of State Antony Blinken disqualify multiple Israeli military and police units from receiving U.S. aid due to allegations of human rights abuses. Blinken has yet to act on these recommendations, despite increasing international criticism of the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza. The incidents in question, which took place in the West Bank, include extrajudicial killings, torture, and rape of Palestinian individuals.
The recommendations were sent to Blinken in December, but he has not taken any action on them yet. This inaction has led to criticism that the administration is not willing to hold Israel accountable for human rights violations. The Israel Leahy Vetting Forum, a special committee of State Department officials, made these recommendations after reviewing multiple incidents of abuse. The forum is named after former Senator Patrick Leahy, who authored laws requiring the U.S. to cut off aid to foreign units accused of human rights violations.
Over the years, hundreds of foreign units have been blocked from receiving aid due to human rights abuses. However, Israel has traditionally been treated with deference when it comes to these laws, with billions of dollars in military financing exempt from strict scrutiny. The State Department set up the vetting forum in 2020 to address this issue, but it has been criticized for bureaucracy and lack of action. Critics argue that Israel receives special treatment compared to other countries.
The forum has reviewed multiple cases of rape, extrajudicial killings, and torture, with some incidents involving teenagers being beaten in custody. While some cases have been dropped due to lack of evidence, others have been recommended for sanctions. However, imposing sanctions on Israeli units can be challenging, as Israel can circumvent the impact by purchasing American arms with their own funds. Despite potential limitations, calling out Israeli units for misconduct would still send a strong message of disapproval for the civilian toll of the conflict.
The forum’s case reviews included incidents such as the arrest of a 15-year-old boy by Israeli Border Police, who was allegedly subjected to physical and sexual torture. Despite Israeli claims that no evidence of abuse was found, the forum still raised concerns about the interrogation methods used. It is unclear which cases the forum recommended for sanctions, as some were tabled pending more information from Israel. While Israel argues that it addresses allegations through its own military discipline and legal systems, the forum has identified several violations that remain unresolved.
ProPublica’s reporting is based on interviews with State Department officials and government documents. The lack of action on the recommendations against Israeli units comes at a sensitive time in U.S.-Israel relations, as President Biden has criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The forum’s efforts to address human rights abuses in Israel have faced challenges due to political pressure and bureaucratic hurdles. Critics continue to push for stronger enforcement of the Leahy Laws to hold all countries, including Israel, accountable for human rights violations.
