The State Department is evaluating new information provided by the Israeli government regarding the status of an Israeli military unit accused of violating human rights in the West Bank. This evaluation is part of determining whether to recommend suspending U.S. aid to the unit under the Leahy Law, which prohibits providing aid to groups that violate human rights. The potential move has drawn public scrutiny, as the Biden administration faces pressure to hold Israel accountable for human rights violations. The decision would be unprecedented in the long-standing security partnership between the U.S. and Israel.
In a letter authenticated by CBS News, Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured House Speaker Mike Johnson that determinations made under the Leahy Law would not delay U.S. assistance to Israel, and the country would receive the full amount appropriated by Congress. Blinken specified that three military units of the Israel Defense Forces, as well as two civilian authority units, were implicated in human rights violations against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Remediation efforts were made for two IDF battalions, allowing U.S. security assistance to continue, while efforts are ongoing for the third unit.
The U.S. and Israel have a formal agreement in place that requires consultation before reaching conclusions under the Foreign Assistance Act, which includes the Leahy Law. The consultation process regarding the third military unit is currently ongoing. The State Department has been reviewing whether Israel is in compliance with U.S. and international humanitarian law in its conflict with Hamas. President Biden issued a memorandum ordering a review of countries receiving U.S. military aid to ensure compliance. Results of this review are expected to be received by Congress in May.
The possibility of suspending U.S. aid to the Israeli military unit has sparked strong condemnation from Israeli officials, who called it absurd and a dangerous precedent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials expressed concern over the potential penalty, and discussions were held with Blinken to address the issue. The controversy arose just before a House vote on a $95 billion supplemental aid package that included funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. Written assurances were sought by House Speaker Johnson and received from both Secretary Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan regarding the timely delivery of military aid to Israel.
The State Department emphasized that any potential violation of the Leahy Law would apply specifically to a unit or component and would not impact the overall security relationship with the country. The decision to suspend aid to the Israeli military unit is still under consideration, based on the information provided by the Israeli government. The process involves discussions between the U.S. and Israel to address the human rights violations and take necessary remediation steps. The Biden administration faces scrutiny and pressure to uphold international human rights standards in its security partnership with Israel.
