The United States continues to provide military aid to an Israeli unit despite allegations of human rights abuses.
In a recent decision, the U.S. government opted not to restrict military aid to the Netzah Yehuda battalion, a unit of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) previously accused of human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank. This decision was reached after the State Department concluded that the violations had been “effectively remediated,” as stated by spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The controversy surrounding Netzah Yehuda dates back to allegations that this ultra-Orthodox unit, along with four other Israeli security units, committed severe human rights abuses. These accusations surfaced months before Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. While the other four units had their violations addressed earlier this year, Netzah Yehuda remained under scrutiny until this recent clearance.
The battalion faced intense criticism following the death of 78-year-old Palestinian American Omar Assad, who suffered a fatal heart attack after being detained by the unit in January 2022. Despite the severity of the incident, no soldiers were criminally charged, though the battalion’s commander was reprimanded. The unit was subsequently relocated from the West Bank to the Golan Heights.
The U.S. decision aligns with the guidelines of the Leahy Law, which prohibits U.S. assistance to foreign security units implicated in human rights abuses unless the Secretary of State confirms that the host government is taking meaningful steps to hold those responsible accountable. In this case, the remediation involved removing two soldiers from combat roles, disqualifying them from reserve duty, enhancing screening processes for recruits, and implementing new oversight mechanisms during training.
Despite these measures, the Biden administration has faced criticism for not exerting more pressure on Israel, especially amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where recent Israeli strikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties. Critics argue that the U.S. has failed to push for substantial changes in Israel’s military actions, despite frequent calls for minimizing civilian harm.
The decision to maintain military aid to Netzah Yehuda has also sparked backlash from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemned the potential for punitive measures against the unit. Netanyahu’s response highlighted the tension between maintaining strong U.S.-Israel relations and addressing international human rights concerns.
In summary, the U.S. government’s decision reflects a complex balancing act, weighing the legal obligations under the Leahy Law against the geopolitical and strategic considerations of its relationship with Israel. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in navigating international military aid policies amidst contentious human rights issues.