• The Biden administration is expected to impose sanctions on an Israeli army battalion, the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, for human rights violations in the West Bank preceding the October 7 events. [alhurra.com, themedialine.org, newsweek.com, foxnews.com, washingtonexaminer.com, haaretz.co.il, mako.co.il, jpost.com, makorrishon.co.il, maariv.co.il, ynet.co.il, bhol.co.il, israelhayom.co.il]
  • The sanctions would prohibit the battalion and its members from receiving any training or assistance from the US military. [foxnews.com, washingtonexaminer.com, themedialine.org, haaretz.co.il, mako.co.il]
  • The sanctions are based on human rights abuses in the West Bank, including involvement in the death of elderly Palestinian American Omar Assad. [washingtonexaminer.com, haaretz.co.il, mako.co.il, bhol.co.il]
  • The battalion, which consists largely of ultra-Orthodox soldiers, has previously been relocated from the West Bank to the north of Israel due to allegations of misconduct. [themedialine.org, israelhayom.co.il]
  • According to US government-owned Arabic-language satellite TV Alhurra, the battalion belongs to the Kfir Brigade in the Israeli Army. Initially consisting of 30 soldiers, there are now around 1,000 soldiers in the battalion including training and combat roles. [alhurra.com]
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz have condemned the potential sanctions, calling them absurd and vowing to fight against such moves. [themedialine.org, newsweek.com]
  • The increased sanctions also show a growing frustration of the Biden administration with Netanyahu. Right-wing members of his governing coalition are reportedly upset with the Biden administration for making moves against the Israeli settlers. [foxnews.com, washingtonexaminer.com]

What is Israeli media saying?

  • The Biden administration is escalating efforts to combat violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and is willing to impose sanctions on Israeli extremist groups. [jpost.com, mako.co.il, makorrishon.co.il]
  • Former IDF Chief of Staff and Cabinet Member for War Management, Minister Gadi Eisenkot, criticized the idea of imposing sanctions on a combat battalion in the IDF, emphasizing the need for joint action to prevent such decisions. [maariv.co.il]
  • Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz defended the Battalion and the brigade of which it is part, stating they operate within international law and Israel has a strong legal system to address any violations. [jpost.com, israelhayom.co.il]
  • Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, said the planned sanctions are a mistake that should be reversed. [bhol.co.il, mako.co.il]

Sources:

  • alhurra.com
  • themedialine.org
  • newsweek.com
  • foxnews.com
  • washingtonexaminer.com
  • haaretz.co.il
  • mako.co.il
  • jpost.com
  • makorrishon.co.il
  • maariv.co.il
  • ynet.co.il
  • bhol.co.il
  • israelhayom.co.il