biden administration Sanctions may be announced against an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion for alleged human rights violations in the West Bank ahead of the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants, according to reports.
Axios reported that the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken The IDF is expected to announce sanctions against the battalion “Netzah Yehuda” within days, marking the first time the US has imposed sanctions on Israeli-run military units.
Sources reportedly told the publication that if sanctions are imposed, the battalion and its members will not receive any training or assistance from the US military.
Under the Leahy Act, the United States is prohibited from providing any type of foreign assistance or Defense Department training to countries responsible for alleged human rights violations based on credible information.
White House announces new sanctions on Iran after attack against Israel: ‘Pressure will continue’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks at the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria on March 15, 2024. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool)
Fox News Digital contacted the US State Department and the White House but did not immediately receive a response.
Blinken was asked about this while talking to reporters on Friday. Israel’s violation Recommendations made by his department to cut human rights and military aid to some Israeli units in the West Bank.
Blinken began by saying that the Leahy Law is important and is applied across the board.
Biden remains silent after being pressed about Iranian attacks against Israel: ‘What now?’
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 3, 2023. (Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“When we’re doing these investigations, these inquiries, it takes some time, very careful work gathering and analyzing the facts – and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” he said. “And I think it’s fair to say that you’ll see the results soon. I’m determined; you can expect to see them in the coming days.”
On Friday, the US imposed sanctions on an aide to Israel’s national security minister and two entities who allegedly raised funds for Israeli men who commit settler violence. The new restrictions come in addition to other restrictions imposed on five settlers and two unauthorized outposts earlier this year. The increased sanctions also reflect growing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the US
Friday’s sanctions would freeze US assets allegedly held by those targeted, while also barring Americans from transacting with them.
House introduces 17 Iran/Israel-related bills this week
File photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 7, 2024. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun/Pool/File photo)
Right-wing members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, which is pushing for the annexation of the West Bank as well as expanding Jewish settlements, are reportedly angry at the Biden administration for taking steps against Israeli settlers.
Also adding fuel to the fire is the tension between Israel and Washington, which arose due to Israel’s insistence on restraining itself from attacking Iran.
One of the individuals sanctioned by the US was Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder and leader of the right-wing group Lehava. The group does not support mixing of Jews with non-Jews and has about 5,000 members.
Radical Iranian province influenced by Israel exposes regime weakness
Israel launched limited strikes against Iran on Friday, April 19. (IRGC)
“Under Gopstein’s leadership, Lehava and its members have engaged in acts or threats of violence against Palestinians, often targeting sensitive or unstable areas,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement obtained by Reuters.
Miller warned that additional measures would be taken if Israel does not take action to stop extremist attacks as violence continues to escalate in the West Bank.
The European Union also agreed to impose sanctions against Lehwa and other groups.
House passes $26 billion aid to Israel, Gaza as tensions rise with Iran
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Monday, March 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
But America is not just targeting Israel. In fact, last week White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had announced the sanctions. pitted against Iran Last Saturday his regime attacked Israel.
The sanctions were announced as Republicans criticized the Biden administration for not being tough enough on Iran, pointing to a waiver extended by the White House through November 2023 to release $10 billion of funds already committed to Iran. .
Sullivan said the actions the U.S. is taking “will continue a sustained drumbeat of pressure to restrain and reduce Iran’s military capability and effectiveness and to confront the full range of its problematic behaviors.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Over the past three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, the United States has imposed sanctions on more than 600 individuals and entities associated with terrorism, terrorist financing and other forms of trafficking, horrific human rights abuses, and support. Pseudo terrorist group, “Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and Kata’ib Hezbollah are involved,” the statement said.
“The pressure will continue. We will not hesitate to continue taking action in coordination with allies and partners around the world and Congress to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malign and destabilizing actions.”
Andrea Vacchiano of Fox News Digital and Reuters contributed to this report.
