EXPLAINER: What is the battalion of the Israeli Netzah Yehuda accused of?

Following claims in the media that Washington was about to apply its first penalties against the nation’s defense forces, Israeli authorities said they would fight against any sanctions being placed on any Israeli military units for suspected violations of human rights.

According to Israeli media, the US will censure Israel’s Netzah Yehuda unit for how it treats Palestinians in the West Bank.

The accusations made against Netzah Yehuda troops are explained below:

What is the battalion, Netzah Yehuda?

To meet the religious convictions of ultra-Orthodox Jews and other religious nationalist recruits in the army, the Netzah Yehuda battalion was established in 1999.

By giving them time for study and prayer, restricting their contacts with female troops, and allowing them to continue with their religious customs, the government established the battalion as a means of enabling these groups to serve in the military.

What charges is the unit facing?

Following allegations that Netzah Yehuda troops were responsible for the murder of Omar Assad, a 78-year-old Palestinian-American who had a heart attack in 2022 while being held and then discovered abandoned at a construction site, the United States launched a criminal inquiry.

Assad died after a stress-induced heart attack caused on by being physically abused, according to a Palestinian autopsy.

Due to his age, his mixed nationality, and the US State Department’s demand for an inquiry into his death, the case garnered extraordinary attention.

According to the Israeli military, he refused to comply, so troops momentarily restrained him with a fabric strip and tied his wrists with a zip tie.

Although two commanders were fired and Netzah Yehuda’s battalion commander received a reprimand, Israeli military prosecutors declined to press charges, claiming there was no connection between the troops’ mistakes and Assad’s demise.

The military advocate general said that a military medical officer could not have concluded that the soldiers’ actions directly contributed to his death and that they could not have known about his medical condition.

In recent years, there have been many such incidents—some of which were seen on camera—wherein troops from Netzah Yehuda have been prosecuted or accused of mistreating Palestinian inmates.

Before the battalion was forced to leave the region in late 2022 due to US criticism, it had been operating mostly in the West Bank. The unit has been operating in Gaza as of late.

What would the penalties entail?

On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had “determinedations” about allegations that Israel had broken US rules that prohibit giving military support to people or security force units that engage in flagrant human rights abuses.

The Leahy Laws, which were drafted in the late 1990s by Senator Patrick Leahy, prohibit giving military support to people or security force units who violate human rights flagrantly and are not prosecuted.

Blinken hinted that a statement would be released “very soon”.

What reaction has Israel given?

Reports of the penalties provoked an angry response from Israeli authorities.

While Israeli soldiers are engaged in combat with Hamas in Gaza, Netanyahu referred to the prospect of penalties on the unit as “the height of absurdity and a moral low” on Sunday. He said that any attempt will be met with “act by all means” by his administration.

Blinken was asked to “reconsider the prospective decision” by minister Benny Gantz, who is part of the nation’s war cabinet, during their conversation on Sunday.

The Netzah Yehuda battalion, according to the Israeli military, is an operational combat force that complies with international law.