Title: AIPAC Donor Supports IDF Unit Accused of Human Rights Violations: The Disturbing Connection
Introduction:
The Netzah Yehuda battalion, an all-male unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was established to allow ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve in the military while adhering to their religious beliefs. However, this battalion has faced allegations of human rights abuses and violations against Palestinians in the West Bank. While the Biden administration considered sanctioning the battalion, it ultimately backed down under pressure from Israeli officials. Surprisingly, the battalion receives support from a U.S. nonprofit led by Stephen Rosedale, who is also a donor to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group. This article explores the disturbing connection between Rosedale, AIPAC, and the IDF unit accused of violating human rights.
The Allegations Against Netzah Yehuda Battalion:
The Netzah Yehuda battalion has been implicated in various human rights violations, including an incident that resulted in the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian American man named Omar As’ad in 2022. As’ad was detained during a raid in the West Bank and left outside overnight before dying of cardiac arrest. While two battalion officers were dismissed, no one was prosecuted for As’ad’s death. These allegations caught the attention of the U.S. State Department, which expressed deep concern and called for a thorough criminal investigation.
The Threat of Sanctions:
The Biden administration contemplated imposing sanctions on Netzah Yehuda under the Leahy Laws, which aim to prevent funding, supplying, or training security forces involved in human rights abuses. State Department staffers recommended sanctioning the battalion to disqualify it from receiving U.S. aid. However, the administration ultimately backed down due to pressure from Israeli officials. It is worth noting that these potential sanctions would only apply to military aid, as the government has the power to impose separate economic sanctions on foreign human rights violators but has chosen not to do so in this case.
The Role of Friends of Nahal Haredi:
Friends of Nahal Haredi, a U.S. nonprofit, provides significant support to the Netzah Yehuda battalion. Led by Stephen Rosedale, the organization has funneled millions of dollars to the IDF unit in recent years. Rosedale, a registered Republican, is also a donor to AIPAC and its affiliated political action committees. His contributions to AIPAC’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, have exceeded $33,500 this cycle alone. Additionally, Rosedale is backing AIPAC’s plan to oust critics of Israel’s human rights abuses from Congress and replace them with pro-Israel allies.
AIPAC’s Influence and Controversy:
AIPAC, the leading pro-Israel lobbying group, has faced criticism for its efforts to silence critics of Israel in Congress. Eva Borgwardt, national spokesperson for IfNotNow, a Jewish advocacy group, compares AIPAC to the National Rifle Association (NRA) and questions why it is not treated similarly. AIPAC’s multimillion-dollar campaign aims to unseat Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, known as members of “the Squad,” who have been vocal about imposing conditions on U.S. military aid to Israel. Borgwardt argues that AIPAC’s donors, who support weapons sales without accountability for civilian deaths, should be cause for concern.
Rosedale’s Political Contributions:
Rosedale’s support for AIPAC’s super PAC is his largest campaign contribution this year. He has given mostly to Democrats in recent years, including state Democratic parties and candidates endorsed by AIPAC. Notably, Rosedale has also contributed to Republican Senator Josh Hawley. AIPAC plans to spend up to $20 million in each upcoming primary against Bowman and Bush, endorsing their challengers and running attack ads against them.
Conclusion:
The connection between Stephen Rosedale, AIPAC, and the IDF unit accused of human rights violations raises serious concerns. While the Biden administration considered sanctioning the battalion, pressure from Israeli officials led to a retreat. The support provided by Friends of Nahal Haredi, led by Rosedale, further highlights the complexity of the situation. Critics argue that AIPAC’s efforts to silence Israel’s critics in Congress should be met with the same repulsion as the NRA. The ongoing debate surrounding AIPAC’s influence and the need for accountability in U.S. support for Israel’s military actions underscores the importance of addressing human rights concerns in international relations.
