The United States has identified five Israeli military units as responsible for committing severe human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, the State Department announced on Monday.
These findings emerged from an investigation into incidents that occurred prior to the attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7. According to Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson for the State Department, “These violations did not involve actions in Gaza, and all took place well before the October attacks. Four of the units have taken effective measures to address these violations, aligning with our expectations of partners.”
Despite the findings, Patel clarified that this will not influence the ongoing weapons transfers to Israel. The scrutiny of these units was part of an ongoing review under the Leahy Law, which prevents the US from providing military aid to foreign military units that violate human rights.
Last week, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hinted at these developments, stating that the review was nearly complete and results would soon be disclosed.
Recent reports from ABC News and ProPublica revealed that the Biden administration had previously identified human rights violations by at least three Israeli military units. However, it was determined that aid would not be withheld as the Israeli government was actively addressing the issues raised.
Among the units investigated is Netzah Yehuda, an ultra-Orthodox battalion in the Israeli army, known for its operations in the West Bank. A recommendation was made months earlier by a US State Department panel for Blinken to blacklist several Israeli military and police units following a review of rights abuses against Palestinians.
