Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to reject any sanctions on the country’s military, after reports that the US plans to cut aid to one unit.
“I will fight it with all my strength,” the prime minister said on Sunday.
Earlier, the Axios news site said the US would target Israel’s Netzah Yehuda battalion over alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
According to the BBC, any move would come under a US ban on aid to foreign units credibly implicated in violations.
When asked last week about reports that US military aid to the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) units could be cut over allegations of human rights abuses in the occupied West Bank, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “I’ve made determinations; you can expect to see them in the days ahead”.
America – Israel’s main ally – has never suspended aid to an IDF unit before.
The Israeli military said Netzah Yehuda was operating in accordance with international law.
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called on the US to withdraw its intention to sanction Netzah Yehuda, saying the world was watching the ties between the US and Israel more closely than ever.
