The US State Department has found that five Israeli security units committed human rights violations prior to the Gaza war with Hamas. Four of the units have reportedly addressed these violations, but the fifth unit, the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion, is still under consideration for potential military aid restrictions. The Government of Israel has submitted additional information regarding the battalion, and the US is reviewing this information before making a decision.
The reported violations took place in the West Bank before October 7 and did not occur in Gaza. The US and Israel are engaged in ongoing consultations to address these actions and potential consequences. Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlined in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson that three of the units are part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and two are civilian authority units. The Biden administration has faced criticism for delaying punitive measures against the Israeli unit following pressure from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Under the Leahy Law, the US is prohibited from aiding foreign security units implicated in human rights abuses, unless effective steps are taken to address the violations. Blinken has determined that one of the IDF units has not effectively remedied the violations, resulting in the unit being transferred from the West Bank to the Golan Heights. The Netanyahu Yehuda battalion was also moved to the Golan Heights after the death of a Palestinian American man in January 2022.
The Israeli government has provided new information regarding the status of the unit, and discussions are ongoing to identify a path to effective remediation. The US is reviewing the actions taken by Israel to determine if they are sufficient to prevent aid restrictions. The remediation process varies by country, and the standard is that accountable parties must be held to justice. Details about the remediation process have not been disclosed, and the situation is still being monitored.
The Biden administration is working to ensure compliance with the Leahy Law and holding foreign security units accountable for human rights violations. The State Department is engaged in dialogue with the Israeli government to address the reported violations and determine the appropriate course of action. Additional updates may be provided as the situation evolves, and decisions are made regarding potential aid restrictions for the implicated security units. The goal is to uphold human rights standards and promote accountability in all partnerships with foreign security units.
