Israeli airstrike on a house kills at least 9 in southern Gaza city of Rafah, including 6 children
CBSApr 21
Netanyahu Vows to Reject US Sanctions on Army Units
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The Facts
The US is considering sanctioning additional Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units over alleged human rights violations against Palestinians. Pres. Joe Biden is reportedly expected to sanction police forces as well as the Netzah Yehuda Battalion this week.
Soldiers in the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, which was created in 1999 and consists of ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim, have been convicted of electrocuting Palestinians and allowing a Palestinian-American to die in their custody in 2022.
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel itself has acknowledged the past wrongdoings of individual Netzah Yehuda soldiers, but that doesn't mean the entire unit should be smeared. By doing this, Washington is not only painting this Battalion with a broad brush, but also the entire IDF. Israel should be allowed to discipline soldiers without its entire reputation being defamed.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Netzah Yehuda Battalion has a long and recorded history of egregious human rights violations, so it's no surprise that sanctions are finally being placed against it. There is even video footage of these soldiers abusing Palestinian detainees, which is why the US government couldn't possibly turn a blind eye to these human rights violations.