2024-04-22 07:57:43
Israeli media have sounded the alarm, warning that US sanctions against the Israeli army’s “Netzah Yehuda” battalion could open the door for US and international bodies to pursue officials in Israel.
The US State Department is expected to announce within days possible sanctions against this battalion, accused of having participated in human rights violations and acts of violence in… . western bankThis is the first time we’ve made a trend Washington Take this action against the Israeli army.
International prosecution of those responsible
The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper warned in an article published on Sunday that these potential sanctions could allow international prosecutions of officials… Israel; At their head is the Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuDefense Minister Yoav Galant, as well as officers and soldiers, a precedent that has not occurred since the creation of the state.
The report stated:
- The imposition of sanctions signifies the potential end of the special relationship between Israel and the United States and Washington’s lack of confidence in the Israeli army’s military justice system.
- America equates the Israeli army with the armies of non-democratic countries; The law, according to which sanctions will be imposed on the battalion, was previously used by America to punish military units in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Turkey and Sri Lanka.
- The US decision is expected to provide an opportunity to impose sanctions on army officers and soldiers living in the settlements, which will likely affect the army as a whole, the Israeli economy, Israel’s policy of maintaining peace order in the West Bank and Israeli policy. international status.
- The consequences of the new American policy will be dramatic and it appears that the United States has decided to use harsh legal tools in order to bring about a radical change in Israel’s policy towards the Palestinians.
- If this trend continues, international arrest warrants are expected to be issued against the Prime Minister, Israeli officials and senior Israeli officers.
why now?
Regarding the reasons for considering imposing sanctions on the Israeli battalion now, political analyst Jawad Al-Shami told Sky News Arabia that American organizations are monitoring the battalion’s violations against civilians in the West Bank, especially after the battalion was involved in the murder. of a 70-year-old American citizen there, year 2022; Israel avoids punishing soldiers.
This battalion also includes militants and extremists, and its performance is known to have question marks, according to Al-Shami.
In one day… American aid and sanctions against Israel
Regarding the effectiveness of possible American sanctions against the battalion, the political analyst states:
- US sanctions against military forces are divided into several levels, and I believe that the sanctions against the aforementioned battalion will be of a lower and insignificant level.
- This may involve preventing the acquisition of certain American weapons, not participating in training with American units, or even prohibiting the travel of its officials and soldiers to the United States.
- As for imposing sanctions on specific people, it is difficult for the US State Department to name officers and soldiers and punish them. Israel remains its ally and will not abandon it.
- The sanctions will certainly be lifted quickly; This is a kind of pressure on Netanyahu, but if Israel does not respond to these pressures, it will lead to bigger crises and America could extend sanctions more severely.
- As for the impact of this situation on the future of relations, I think they have been affected by what is happening now, but the existence of Israel is linked to the power of America, which means that what is happening will continue for some time and end.
What do we know about the “Netzah Yehuda” battalion?
- Netzah Yehuda was created so that ultra-Orthodox and other Israeli soldiers could serve without feeling like they were endangering their beliefs.
- It operates as a unit in the West Bank and consists primarily of Haredi men and young extremists with far-right views, and they are not included in other combat units of the Israeli army.
- Soldiers do not interact with female troops to the same extent as male soldiers and have more time for prayer and religious study, according to the Times of Israel.
- Members of the unit have been involved in numerous controversial incidents of violence and have also been convicted in the past of torturing and mistreating Palestinian prisoners, similar to what happened with Omar Asaad.
- Israel moved the unit from the West Bank in December 2022, although it denied doing so due to soldiers’ behavior, and the battalion has since served in the north of the country.
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