The U.S. currently provides $3.8 billion a year in military funding to Israel as part of a memorandum of understanding, which is set to expire in 2028. Amid growing public opposition to sending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to Israel, which has faced global criticism for its bombardment of Gaza and operations in Lebanon, some lawmakers have proposed drawing down the amount of direct aid to Israel.
Critics, however, argue that the measure would embed Israeli technology more deeply within Pentagon programs and supply chains, potentially giving Israel more leverage over U.S. defense decisions. The U.S. has several defense-industrial partnerships with NATO and AUKUS allies, but opponents say the proposal would institutionalize U.S.-Israeli cooperation to an unusual degree for a country that is not a formal treaty ally. Critics also argue that potentially shifting support for Israel from annual aid, which must be voted on, to routine Pentagon programs would make U.S.-Israeli cooperation more opaque and difficult to pull back in future.
Here’s what to know about the proposed legislation.
The Senate measure would similarly require the Defense Secretary, in consultation with Israel’s defense minister, to create a bilateral defense technology initiative that accelerates joint research, procurement and production of military technologies.
The provisions are based on the U.S.-Israel FUTURES Act, bipartisan bills that were introduced earlier this year in the Senate by Sens. Ted Budd (R, N.C.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D, N.Y.) and in the House by Reps. Ronny Jackson (R, Texas) and Don Davis (D, N.C.). The standalone bills, which have not been passed, proposed establishing a bilateral defense-technology initiative between the U.S. and Israel.
The Senate is also considering another bill, the Senate Intelligence Authorization Act, that would expand intelligence sharing with Israel on terrorism, cyberthreats, missile threats, and more, with the exception of areas of specific national security concern. It would also expand intelligence cooperation with signatories of the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements that normalized several Arab nations’ relations with the state of Israel.
The U.S. has also coordinated closely with Israel in joint strikes, including on Iran on Feb. 28, which launched the now five-month-long war.
What’s behind the proposal?
But lawmakers appear to be turning to the provisions as a means of transitioning away from that model and toward what proponents, including Netanyahu, describe as a mutually beneficial defense partnership. The NDAA legislation does not currently reduce Israel’s existing assistance.
Netanyahu told 60 Minutes in May that he wants to “draw down to zero” U.S. financial support of Israel.
That push has come amid a widening split in the Democratic Party over unconditional military support for Israel. On July 15, 27 House Democrats issued a joint statement opposing another $3.3 billion in direct military financing for Israel. That same day, 103 House Democrats voted for an amendment, authored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R, Ky.), to the annual State Department appropriations bill to eliminate the funding for Israel, although the measure ultimately failed 104-314.
What do critics say?
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D, Md.) has been one of the most outspoken critics of the proposal, telling the New York Times this week that it could give the Israeli government leverage over U.S. weapons systems and military technology. Van Hollen said the existing missile defense co-production agreements should serve as a “cautionary tale” of how such partnerships could impact U.S. defense decisions. Israel has repeatedly blocked the U.S. from transferring two U.S.-owned Iron Dome batteries to Ukraine, citing the risk that Russia could obtain the weapons and pass them to Iran.
Five Democrats, including Van Hollen, and Independent Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, signed a letter in July objecting to the “provisions that mandate enhanced defense and intelligence cooperation with the government of Israel at a time when the Netanyahu coalition continues to undermine U.S. interests and values.”
The integration of Israeli technology in U.S. defense supply chains could also make it costlier and less efficient for the U.S. to unwind the partnership if the two countries’ interests diverged, Simon, the Quincy Institute research fellow, argues.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, N.Y.) has also criticized the proposal, warning that the provision would “merge parts of our military with the IDF.”
Proponents of the provisions rejected Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization, arguing that the proposal does not merge the two militaries but increases joint investment and research.
The House subsequently passed the NDAA with the provision intact on July 22. But the broader defense package, which is historically considered must-pass legislation, faces an uphill battle in the Senate. All but six voting House Democrats voted against it, and Senate Democrats blocked a July 14 motion to begin the debate. A new motion to begin considering the Senate bill was made on July 27, but the Senate has not yet voted to take it up.
Hence then, the article about congress is considering provisions in the annual defense policy legislation that would institutionalize defense technology cooperation with israel critics fear it could give israel leverage over u s defense decisions was published today ( ) and is available on Time ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Congress is considering provisions in the annual defense policy legislation that would institutionalize defense-technology cooperation with Israel. Critics fear it could give Israel leverage over U.S. defense decisions. )
Also on site :
- FX's The Shards: Which Parts Of Bret Easton Ellis' Story Actually Happened — And What Did He Make Up?
- Global Times: China's innovation-driven growth can support more inclusive global development, says Arkebe Oqubay
- Drew Barrymore’s 'Stylish' Fluted Storage Cabinet Is the 'Functional' Storage Upgrade Every Home Needs