In light of the intense conflict taking place in the Middle East, talk emerges from time to time about a state of instability in American-Israeli relations, and information about a difference in visions regarding the management of the war in Gaza and the unprecedented escalation it led to, reaching the point of direct confrontation between Israel and its arch enemy, Iran.

Many media outlets have spoken since the October 7 attack until today about tense relations, and described US President Joe Biden’s talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “acute,” especially with regard to the latter’s management of the war. An example of this is the Israeli insistence on invading... Rafah, which clashed several times with American rejection based on not accepting scenarios that might lead to more humanitarian disasters in Gaza.

But Saturday witnessed reports of US sanctions on an Israeli army battalion, and at the same time the approval of billions in aid on its way from Washington to Tel Aviv, an indication that the differences are nothing more than storms in a cup.

Security and military assistance

The balance of Israel's balance in the balance of its first ally was most of the time, as Washington, which played an active role in controlling the balance of conflict in the region, is always keen to ensure Israel's security, and the security and military assistance that this requires.

Accordingly, on Saturday, the US House of Representatives approved an aid package worth $17 billion to Israel in order to compensate for the shortfall in the Israeli missile defense system and expand it, and to purchase advanced weapons systems.

Last February, Washington approved a similar package for Israel worth $14.1 billion.

Expected penalties

In a relationship that began to witness a “formal” ebb and flow following the October 7 attack, American steps emerged, even if they were “simple,” revealing a state of complete dissatisfaction with the behavior of the Israeli forces during the war in the Gaza Strip or in the occupied West Bank, and in this context All American statements or actions towards Israel are taken into account.

The latest actions that give evidence of this American policy are the information that speaks about the possibility that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will announce, within days, sanctions against the “Netzah Yehuda” battalion of the Israeli army, due to human rights violations in the occupied West Bank committed before The events of October 7, according to three American sources familiar with the matter, told the Axios news site.

Unprecedented

This will be the first time that the United States imposes sanctions on an Israeli military battalion.

The sources said that the sanctions will prevent the battalion and its members from receiving any type of American military assistance or training.

But it is believed that these sanctions will not have any impact on the capabilities of the Israeli army, which in general still enjoys absolute American support.

A 1997 US law prohibits US foreign aid and Department of Defense training programs directed to foreign security, military, and police units that are credibly alleged to have committed human rights violations.

On Thursday, American press reports stated that a special committee affiliated with the State Department investigated human rights violations based on the law, and recommended months ago that many Israeli army and police units operating in the West Bank be deprived of receiving American aid.