Israeli minister warns US allies about `red lines`

(Dan Tri) – A senior official in the Israeli government warned the US after news appeared that Washington may be about to announce sanctions against a unit in the Israeli army.

Israeli soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda battalion patrol near the Israel-Gaza border in October 2023 (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90).

Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir warned the US on April 20 that potential sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda battalion would be a `red line` for Tel Aviv.

`Sanctions against our soldiers are a red line! Minister (Defense Yoav) Galant must immediately support the Netzah Yehuda battalion,` he wrote on social networks.

On the same day, US news website Axios quoted a source as saying that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to soon announce sanctions against the controversial unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the coming days.

Members of the Netzah Yehuda battalion have been repeatedly accused of committing human rights violations against Palestinians in the West Bank.

According to Axios, the potential sanctions would prohibit the transfer of US weapons to the Netzah Yehuda battalion and prevent the unit’s soldiers from training with Washington forces or participating in any activities with US sponsorship

If the US actually announces sanctions, this will be the first time Washington has taken such a step.

`If there is no one at the Ministry of Defense to support the battalion, I will suggest recruiting them to the Israeli police force and the Ministry of National Security or the Border Police,` Mr. Ben Gvir emphasized.

The Netzah Yehuda Battalion has been at the center of several controversies in the past regarding right-wing extremism and violence against Palestinians, especially after the death in 2022 of Omar As’ad, a

Israel transferred the unit out of the West Bank in December 2022 and since then it has mainly operated in the north of the country.

Commenting on Axios’ information, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah said: `The IDF must not be punished. In recent weeks, I have worked against the punishment of Israeli citizens, including in exchanges

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz said the battalion was `an indispensable part of the IDF`.

`We have great respect for our American friends, but imposing sanctions on this unit sets a dangerous precedent and sends the wrong message to our common enemies,` Gantz said.