Rights Groups Urge US Congress to Limit Defense Ties With Israel

Dozens of civil rights and advocacy organizations have urged the U.S. Congress to remove a provision from a defense bill that would enhance military technology cooperation between the United States and Israel. The provision, part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, aims to deepen collaboration between the U.S. and Israeli defense sectors by expediting joint military technology development and other partnerships. The House of Representatives passed the bill in July, and it now awaits Senate consideration.

In a letter sent on Thursday to the chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, 56 organizations stated that deepening integration with Israel's defense sector would be "highly dangerous" and implored lawmakers to strike the provision. Signatories include Amnesty International USA and the National Lawyers Guild, alongside Arab and Jewish rights advocacy groups. The letter argued that as American interests diverge from Israel's and public opinion increasingly opposes unconditional support, establishing new leverage points for Israel within the U.S. defense technology system is "highly dangerous."

Israel is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, with extensive defense and intelligence cooperation. Proponents of the measure believe strengthening ties could accelerate military innovation. The letter also criticizes Israel for potential violations of international humanitarian law in its Gaza war and for escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, asserting these developments should preclude enhanced military relations.

Public support for Israel in the U.S. has declined since the October 7th Hamas attack and the subsequent war in Gaza, particularly among Democrats. A June Quinnipiac University poll indicated that 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats believe the U.S. supports Israel too much, a significant increase from 2017. This shift is reflected in Democratic primary wins for candidates critical of Israel and a growing willingness among lawmakers to challenge decades of U.S. support.

Discussions are also underway regarding the future of U.S. military aid to Israel, currently set at $3.8 billion annually under a memorandum of understanding expiring in 2028. Efforts by some members of Congress to remove the defense cooperation provision from the NDAA have so far been unsuccessful, with an amendment proposed by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) not included in the House version of the bill. The final version of the bill will be determined through a conference committee process.