US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that his department has an investigation “ongoing” into alleged human rights violations by Israel and denied having a double standard when it comes to investigate your ally.
This is how the head of US diplomacy expressed himself at a press conference to present the annual report prepared by the State Department on the situation of human rights in the world.
“We are analyzing reports of incidents that came to our attention and we have our procedures, particularly if US weapons are involved,” he said.
Blinken on Research
Blinken said the investigation is “ongoing” and stressed the importance of the State Department taking the time necessary to do a correct analysis and reach a conclusion.
“When we have collected the facts and are able to do the analysis, we will make our findings known,” he explained.
The Secretary of State also denied that he has a “double standard” when it comes to investigating an ally such as Israel and promised that “the same standard applies to everyone and that this does not change if the country in question is an adversary or a friend”.
In the coming days, Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion for possible human rights violations in the occupied West Bank.
US and Israel face restrictions
US law prohibits providing foreign aid to military units responsible for human rights violations.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday called the possibility of Joe Biden’s Administration making such a decision “absurd.”
Blinken spoke by phone on Sunday about this issue with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Biaga
