The specific protocol, known as the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum, involves higher-level US officials and a lengthier process aimed at reviewing incidents allegedly involving Israeli occupation forces.
Under regular circumstances, a single objection from an official is adequate to halt assistance, but the process for Israel requires consensus from a working group, which includes representatives from pro-Israel entities within the US government. This has created a system where, to date, no Israeli military unit has been denied US assistance despite evidence of human rights abuses.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for its decision not to suspend aid to Israeli units that have been linked to gross human rights violations, including a case involving the death of Omar Assad, a 78-year-old American citizen who died after being detained by Israeli forces. The Israeli military later described the incident as a “moral failure and poor decision-making” by the soldiers involved.
