US Senator to Withhold US Assistance to ’’Israel’s’’ Military
Leahy says these units are responsible for harming innocent Palestinian civilians and that no system of investigation is in place to ensure that their members are not committing human rights violations. According to Leahy's proposal, US military assistance to "Israel" would be subject to the same restrictions that apply to countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and Jordan.
US Senator Patrick Leahy is promoting a bill to suspend US assistance to three elite "Israel" Military Forces units since they are involved in human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Leahy, a Democrat and senior member of the US Senate, wants assistance withheld from the "Israel" Navy's Shayetet 13 unit, the undercover Duvdevan unit and the "Israel" Air Force's Shaldag unit.
According to Haaretz "Israeli" daily, Leahy began promoting the legislation in recent months after he was approached by voters in his home state of Vermont.
A few months ago, pro-Palestinian protesters staged a rally across from Leahy's office, demanding that he denounce the murdering by Shayetet 13 commandos of nine Turkish activists who were part of the flotilla to Gaza last May.
Leahy, who heads the Senate Appropriations Committee's sub-committee on foreign operations, was the principle sponsor of a 1997 bill prohibiting the United States from providing military assistance or funding to foreign military units suspected of human rights abuses or war crimes. The law also stipulates that the US Military screen foreign officers and soldiers who come to Washington for training for this purpose.
A senior "Israeli" official informed "Haaretz" that the "Israeli" Embassy in Washington had been trying unsuccessfully now for some months to persuade Leahy to back down from the initiative.
Leahy, who is on the Democratic Party's left flank, has for many years promoted human rights issues globally. He has been sharply critical of "Israel" in recent years, especially following Operation Cast Lead in late 2008.
"Israeli" War Minister Ehud Barack met with Leahy privately during his last visit to US trying to convince him to undo his step.
However, the official said Barak felt Leahy had understood his message, and that the "Israeli" Embassy in Washington was following the matter. If necessary, Barak and Leahy would hold another talk, the official added.
Leahy's spokesman, David Carle, said the senator did not comment on his private conversations.
Source : "Haaretz"
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