IDF unit escapes sanctions

Washington has concluded that Israel has adequately punished soldiers and officers in the IDF’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion – accused of human rights abuses against Palestinians

1997, Leahy Law: U.S. law prohibits military aid being sent to foreign forces found to have committed gross violation of human rights (GVHR).
Law crafted by now-retired Senator Patrick Leahy (left)

GVHR: Violations include extrajudicial killing, torture, enforced disappearance, or rape by security forces

1999: 97th Netzah Yehuda “Eternal Judea” is established with just 30 soldiers.
Battalion accommodates ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Battalion now has more than 1,000 troops

Jan 12, 2022: 78-year-old Omar As’ad (above right), Palestinian
with American citizenship – who lived in U.S. for decades – dies after being detained, handcuffed, blindfolded, and later abandoned in near-freezing conditions by Netzah Y ehuda troops during search of West Bank village of Jiljilya.

U.S. Department of State calls
for “thorough criminal investigation and full accountability”

Oct 7, 2022: Israel agrees to pay compensation of NIS 500,000 ($140,000) to As’ad’s family.

Netzah Y ehuda commander reprimanded, two soldiers barred from senior positions for two years – but not prosecuted

Dec: IDF moves unit out of West Bank, away from contact with Palestinians

May 3, 2024: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (inset) says punishment of Netzah
Y ehuda soldiers is adequate


Sources: ProPublica, U.S. Department of State Pictures: Getty Image, As’ad family © GRAPHIC NEWS