In the video: Netzah Yehuda Battalion activity in the Gaza Strip/photo: Doc
Walla journalist Barak Ravid's announcement that the United States is expected to impose sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda Battalion caused echoes in the Israeli political system. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said: "The report that the US intends to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda Battalion is extremely serious and constitutes a crossing of a red line. Defense Minister Yoav Galant expects not to give in to the American dictates - they must be fully supported.
"By the way, if there is no one in the Ministry of Defense to back up the battalion as required, I will ask to receive them in the Israel Police and the Ministry of National Security. The ranks of the MGB are open to receive this important battalion." They will receive "attitude of heroes and full support".
Knesset member Tali Gottlieb (Likud) strongly attacked the move. "Who is the US that dares to impose sanctions on the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion in the IDF? Contemporary anti-Semitism," she said.
Gottlieb added: "I'm tired of this US control over us and these open threats. I look forward to strongly condemning this disgraceful threat to our troops. The US is treading on us with sophistication, slapping and caressing slapping and caressing. I refuse to be a beaten country."
Yossi Levy, the association's CEO, also responded to the apparent move. In a tweet he published on his X account (formerly Twitter), he wrote: "Be patient. I am sure that the IDF spokesperson will explain what this is about and how such an event is treated. It is important for me to point out that the soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion have sacrificed their lives for the people of Israel for over 25 years with countless achievements despite many challenges to the ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the battalion. The battalion is part of the IDF and I am sure that the IDF "L will not allow any interference in a military unit."
As mentioned, according to Walla journalist Barak Ravid's publication, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken is expected to announce in the coming days sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda Battalion of the IDF - this is what three American sources said. The sanctions come against the background of violations of the human rights of Palestinians in the West Bank A senior official in the American administration told Walla that Blinken's decision was based on incidents that occurred before October 7 and occurred in the West Bank only. One of the sources stated that Blinken decided not to impose sanctions on several additional units in the IDF and the Israeli police that were under investigation. .
This will be the first time ever that the United States government imposes sanctions on an Israeli military unit for its activities in the West Bank. The sources stated that the American sanctions will prohibit the transfer of American military aid to the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, will prevent its soldiers and officers from taking part in training with the United States Army, or participating in activities that receive American funding. The sanctions are based on a 1997 law by former Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, which prohibits the provision of US military aid or training by the US military to security forces, the military or the police about whom there is reliable information about human rights abuses.
The Netzah Yehuda Battalion was originally established as a special military unit for ultra-Orthodox, in which all soldiers and officers are men.
Over the years, in light of the low number of ultra-Orthodox who enlisted in the IDF, the unit also began to include boys from the hills and ultra-nationalist youths who hold far-right positions and were not included in other combat units in the IDF.