Israeli battalion faces potential sanctions over alleged rights violations

The US is considering sanctions on an Israeli military battalion called Netzah Yehuda due to allegations of violations of Palestinians' human rights. Analysts and Israeli media report that Washington is ready to move against the battalion because of its perceived impunity and past offenses.

Originally established in 1999 to encourage males of ultra-Orthodox Jewish descent to enroll, Netzah Yehuda has now expanded to recruit members of various religious communities, including settlers from Israeli-occupied areas. The unit's mandate has grown over time, with its initial deployment taking place on the West Bank and continuing until 2022.

The ultra-Orthodox have always been spared from military duty in a nation where it is mandatory for the majority of young people. But Netzah Yehuda gives ultra-Orthodox recruits the chance to serve in line with their religious beliefs, which include following stringent food regulations, separating genders, and setting aside certain times for prayer and religious study.

The battalion has recruited people with strong nationalist and religious views, especially those who harbor hate towards Arabs, but it has also drawn marginalized ultra-Orthodox adolescents who are seeking integration into Israeli society and economic stability.

Marwa Maziad, a visiting lecturer with expertise in Israeli studies, emphasized the battalion's attraction to religious Zionists who combine nationalist beliefs with religious interpretations. These opinions are frequently in line with those of the radical Israeli settlement movement groups.

Netzah Yehuda has been engaged in counter-insurgency and law enforcement activities, mostly in the West Bank, where Israeli-Palestinian tensions are long-standing. Its image has been damaged, nevertheless, by claims that certain members of the unit have mistreated others. The Israeli military has upheld its backing for the unit in spite of allegations of misbehavior, stressing its commitment to moral principles and international law.

The killing of American-Palestinian Omar Assad in Jan. 2022, which was purportedly caused by troops from Netzah Yehuda, brought the unit's actions back into the spotlight. Investigations were prompted and outraged when Assad, 78, was discovered tied, bound, and blinded in subfreezing weather.

Additional incidences using Netzah Yehuda troops, such as assaults on Palestinians and Bedouin civilians, have also been brought to light by Israeli media outlets. The battalion's strong links to settlement communities are cited by critics as fostering an atmosphere of impunity.

The US State Department sent embassy personnel to Israel to look into Assad's passing amid growing criticism. Netzah Yehuda was subsequently moved to the Golan Heights, which had been annexed. Concerns about further possible violations have been raised after the battalion was redeployed to the West Bank and Gaza due to the current escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.

Concerns about the unit's conduct and ideological affiliation are reflected in discussions inside the Israeli military over the unit's future. A few insiders caution that the military's efficacy and integrity may be jeopardized by Netzah Yehuda's nationalist ideology.

Source: AFP