JERUSALEM (NEWSnet/AP) – Israeli leaders on Sunday criticized an expected US decision to impose sanctions on a unit of ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israeli army.

The decision, expected as early as Monday, would be the first time the US has imposed sanctions on a unit within the Israeli army.

U.S. officials declined to identify the sanctioned unit, but Officials and media in Israel identified it as Netzah Yehuda, an infantry battalion designed to absorb ultra-Orthodox men into the army.

Israeli leaders condemned the decision, especially at a time when Israel is at war, and vowed to oppose it.

“If anyone thinks he can impose sanctions on any unit in the IDF, I will fight it with all my might,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the US has crossed a “red line.” Tally Gotliv, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party, accused the US of anti-Semitism.

Netzah Yehuda is based in the occupied West Bank and some of its members have been linked to abuses against Palestinians. It includes only a small part of Israel’s military presence.

The military said the The battalion “conducts operations professionally and courageously in accordance with the IDF Code of Ethics and with full commitment to international law.”

On Friday, US Secretary of State Atony Blinken said he had made a decision on evaluating allegations that several Israeli military units had violated the conditions for receiving US aid set out in the Leahy Act. This decision will be announced shortly.

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