US Congress Urged to Halt Deeper Military Tech Ties with Israel

Dozens of human rights organizations and activists are calling on the U.S. Congress to remove a provision from a defense bill that aims to deepen technological and military cooperation between the United States and Israel. The demand comes amid growing skepticism in the U.S. towards its long-standing ally, according to a letter obtained by Reuters. The provision in question is intended to enhance collaboration between the defense sectors of both nations by accelerating joint military technology developments and other partnerships. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives in July, now awaits a vote in the Senate. Section 219 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 seeks to establish frameworks for joint ventures, licensing agreements, and manufacturing partnerships on U.S. soil involving Israeli industry. In the letter sent to the chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, 56 organizations argued that deeper integration with Israel's defense sector would be "exceptionally dangerous" and urged lawmakers to strike the section. Signatories include the U.S. branch of Amnesty International, the National Lawyers Guild's Human Rights Network, and various Arab and Jewish rights groups. The document states that at a time when American interests are diverging from Israel's and U.S. public opinion is increasingly against unconditional support for Israel, creating new points of influence for Israel within the American technological and defense systems is exceptionally dangerous. Supporters of the legislation contend that deepening ties will foster military innovation and technological development. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a May interview with CBS that he hopes to wean Israel off U.S. military aid within a decade, and in a June letter to a U.S. Congressman, he wrote that it is time for Israel to transition from aid recipient to partner. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen told Reuters that deepening cooperation with the Netanyahu government does not serve U.S. national interests, warning that the provision risks compromising sensitive technologies and could give the Israeli government the ability to interfere in U.S. security decisions.