U.S. State Department Backs Down From Sanctioning Frum IDF Battalion

The U.S. State Department is backing off from sanctioning the IDF’s Netzach Yehuda (Nachal Chareidi) Battalion in the elite Kfir Brigade. This comes after intense backlash and pressure from within the U.S. and from Israeli leaders, according to new reports.

Earlier this week, FrumNews.com reported that U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken decided to impose sanctions on this Israeli battalion based on reports of alleged actions that soldiers of the Netzach Yehudah protected Yidden in the Yehuda and Shomron, before the Simchas Torah massacre.

The original decision seems that it wasn’t final, or it was changed, as according to Israeli sources, the State Department backtracked on its decision due to immense pressure

According to reports, the Israeli government made it clear in talks with the Americans that the state would cooperate and show them that the “problematic incidents” were resolved.

Had the sanctions gone into effect, it would be the first time the U.S. imposed sanctions on such a close ally, especially, Eretz Yisroel. The sanctions plan was a clear sign of worsening diplomatic relations between the Biden Administration and the Israeli war cabinet as the war in Gaza goes on.

The Frum Netzach Yehuda battalion, founded in 1999, is one of the largest battalions in the IDF. The Battalion is based in the Shomron and is tasked with security guarding the checkpoints at the entrance roads to all the Yishuvim north of Yerushalayim and facilitating the arrests of wanted terrorists in Arab towns and villages, including Ramallah, Jenin and Shechem.

After Simchas Torah, The Netzach Yehuda Battalion was sent into southern Gaza near the former Yishuvim of Gush Katif, where they eliminated and arrested hundreds of Hamas terrorists. They also discovered and destroyed dozens of terror tunnels.

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FrumNews.com wants to highlight that since the start of the milchama on Simchas Torah, thousands of Frum Israeli Charedim have voluntarily enlisted on their own into the IDF, mostly joining and expanding the already established Frum Chassidishe units in combat divisions such as:

• Netzach Yehuda–Nachal Charedi Battalion in Kfir
• Tomer Battalion in Givati
• Chetz Battalion in Tzanchanim (Paratroopers)

As well as the popular Shachar Kachol non-combat unit established for Yingerleit.

Additionally, the dozens of large Hesder Yeshivas which combine Limud Hatorah and volunteering in the IDF. The Hesder Yeshiva (Dati Leumi) Bochurim mostly from Yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron, proudly serve, as Bnei Yeshiva and Bnei Torah together with their fellow classmates and Rebbeim in all units, branches and divisions of the IDF. In fact, many motivated Hesder yeshiva bochurim make it to top units and special forces divisions within the IDF, all while being Shomer Torah Umitzvos.

The Frum and Chasseidish communities of Eretz Yisroel have the largest percentage of volunteering for emergency rescue chesed organizations in every Israeli city, Including Zaka, United Hatzalah of Israel, Magen Dovid Adom (MDA) and Yedidim.