Why rights groups say so many Palestinians in the West Bank are being attacked with impunity [Video]

For years, even decades, human rights groups that monitor the occupied West Bank have implored Israel’s allies to take steps to punish Jewish settlers and members of Israel’s military who attack Palestinians and seem to carry out their actions with impunity.  

And so when word came over the weekend that Israel’s closest ally, the United States, reportedly plans to hold members of an Israeli military battalion composed of ultra-orthodox and religious nationalist members accountable, they saw it as progress.

Earlier, the United States and Europe had placed economic and travel sanctions on a few key settlers believed to be responsible for instigating attacks, but implementing penalties and putting restrictions on a branch of the Israel Defence Forces is unprecedented. 

Israel’s government was indignant and rejected the suggestion that the military unit should be singled out.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said imposing sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion while the war …