US backtracks on decision to sanction IDF unit
By
Brady Knox
April 26, 2024 3:47 pm
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The United States announced it would halt its decision to sanction an Israel Defense Forces unit.
Last week, it emerged that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would announce sanctions against the IDF’s 97th Netzah Yehuda Battalion over alleged crimes committed during its time in the West Bank. On Friday, sources familiar with the matter told Axios that the U.S. was pausing the effort after Israel provided further information about the unit.
The reverse comes after intense flak directed at Blinken from the Israeli government, Congress, and within the administration itself. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew, and other senior officials within the administration were among the most vocal opponents of the move, sources told the outlet.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to fight the move with “all my powers,” and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant painted it as an attack on the entire IDF.
“Gallant directed the defense establishment to act at all levels in order to make clear to the U.S. government the importance of backing up IDF operations, which are carried out according to international law,” the Israeli Ministry of Defense said after the sanctions were announced, according to the news outlet.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/foreign-policy/2981138/us-backtracks-sanction-idf-unit/