Arabic version: لجنة الكونغرس الأمريكي تقدم مشروع تعاون عسكري مع إسرائيل

According to Al Jazeera,

A congressional panel in the United States has rejected an effort to revoke a provision from the defense budget that would further integrate the US and Israeli militaries. The amendment, introduced by Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, failed in a voice call on Thursday in the House Armed Services Committee. This outcome allows the proposal to advance to the floor of the House of Representatives.

Khanna argued that the provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), formally called Section 224, rewards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a time when he is trying to dictate US policy in the Middle East. He pointed to recent reports that President Donald Trump is angry at Netanyahu over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon, emphasizing the need for the US to assert its interests over foreign influences.

The vote on the amendment was taken by calling on committee members to say aloud either “yes” and “no”, and the “nays” clearly were more numerous. Section 224 would require the Pentagon chief to designate an executive agent responsible for synchronizing cooperative efforts between the United States and Israel, including bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, and industrial cooperation. Critics have raised concern that Section 224 may make US military aid to Israel more opaque, concealing the assistance as cooperation rather than a separate expense.

Netanyahu has expressed support for the transition of US aid to a partnership model, promoting joint defense cooperation and co-development in advanced military technologies. Despite Khanna’s objections, other lawmakers, including Congressman Adam Smith, defended the provision, citing the strategic benefits of maintaining strong military ties with Israel, particularly given its ongoing conflicts and technological advancements.

Rights advocates have condemned the advancement of Section 224, arguing it overlooks Israel’s military actions against Palestinians and contributes to a framework that shields military aid from scrutiny. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has promised to introduce an amendment to revoke Section 224 when the NDAA goes to a full House vote.