There is outrage in Israel over reported US plans to sanction an army unit, the Netzah Yehuda battalion, for alleged abuses. War Minister Benny Gantz was quoted by the Times of Israel as saying that “The decision to impose sanctions on an IDF unit sets a dangerous precedent and conveys the wrong message to our enemies during war time.”
Members of the Netzah Yehuda battalion are accused of human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that “The government I lead will act with all means against these moves. While our soldiers are fighting terrorist monsters, the intention to impose sanctions on an IDF unit is the height of absurdity and a moral nadir.”
National Security Minister Ben Gvir said that “The sanctions on our soldiers is a red line,” and expected Defence Minister Yoav Gallant not to submit to American dictates. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said “This is part of a planned move to force the state of Israel to agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state and to forsake Israel’s security.”
In Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority (PA) was focused on another issue, the US approving an aid package that will give billions of dollars to Israel. Spokesman for the PA Nabil Abu Rudeina said the money would “Translate into thousands of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip.”
PA President Mahmud Abbas described it as a “Dangerous escalation”. He told the Wafa News Agency that the PA would be reconsidering bilateral relations with the US after it vetoed a Palestinian request for full UN membership last week.
Meanwhile, anti-government demonstrators swept through the streets of Tel Aviv demanding that the hostages taken in October last year by Hamas attackers, be returned. There has been furor after the Times of Israel carried a report quoting two hostage negotiators, who claimed Netanyahu showed “cold indifference” to the release of the hostages, and were it not for him, their release could have been secured over a month ago.
