US delays imposing sanctions on Israeli military units accused of human rights violations in West Bank prior to conflict with Hamas

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The Biden administration has determined that three military battalions with the Israel Defense Forces committed “gross human rights violations” against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank but will remain eligible for U.S. military aid regardless because of steps Israel says it’s taking to address the problem, ABC News has learned.

In an undated letter by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to House Speaker Mike Johnson obtained by ABC News, the administration assessment was outlined. Blinken wrote that the U.S. determination “will not delay the delivery of any U.S. assistance and Israel will be able to receive the full amount appropriated by Congress.”

The allegations involving each of the units occurred before the Oct. 7 war began when Hamas attacked Israel. None of the cases involves operations against Hamas in Gaza or against Iran or its proxies.

Critics of the Biden administration are likely to be upset by this decision, as they feel not enough is being done to hold Israel accountable for military operations in Gaza that have pushed the civilian population toward famine.

Issa Amro, a prominent Palestinian human rights activist, expressed disappointment at the U.S. decision, stating that concrete actions are needed to reduce violence and make peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

Despite the decision, administration officials maintain that their process in reviewing human rights violations has been fair and that Israel was not given preferential treatment. They also note that the U.S. often works with countries through a process known as “remediation” to encourage foreign countries to address issues within their militaries.

Under the Leahy Law, the U.S. military is required to withhold assistance to foreign military units that commit gross human rights abuses, but exceptions can be made if steps are taken to address the issue. Israel has acknowledged the violations and has taken steps to address them, allowing them to continue receiving aid.

Overall, five units were under review for human rights violations, with four undergoing proper remediation steps. The U.S. and Israel have ongoing consultations, and if a military unit fails to take satisfactory measures, aid will be restricted.

Despite these findings, Blinken assured Johnson that support for Israel’s defense against threats like Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah will not be impacted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to fight any potential sanctions on IDF units, calling it a “moral low.”