US measure to deepen Israel military cooperation faces bipartisan pushback
Two US lawmakers want to strip a Pentagon budget provision that would deepen military-tech ties with Israel, citing sovereignty and transparency concerns.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
A section in the US defense budget would create closer US-Israel military coordination through a Pentagon-designated executive agent. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are moving to remove it, arguing it could blur aid, reduce transparency, and tie the US too tightly to Israel.
Two US lawmakers want to remove a rule from a big defense bill. That rule would make the US and Israeli militaries work even more closely together on technology and planning.
They say the rule could hide how much help the US is giving and could make the two militaries feel too tied together. It is like two classmates sharing one toolbox when some people think each one should have their own.
Other lawmakers say the idea is useful and helps security. The argument is really about how far the US should go in helping Israel, and whether that help should be more open or more hidden inside a bigger budget bill.
Analysis
What the provision does
Section 224 of the pending National Defense Authorization Act would require the US defense secretary to name an “executive agent” to coordinate joint work with Israel. The bill says that role would oversee bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, and industrial cooperation.
Why it is under attack
Democrat Ro Khanna said he would seek to remove the section in the House Armed Services Committee, while Republican Thomas Massie said he would oppose the bill on the floor if needed. Massie cast the issue as one of US sovereignty, and Khanna backed him publicly despite their ideological differences. The two lawmakers have previously teamed up on anti-war efforts and on releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Critics of Section 224 argue that it could make US military aid to Israel less transparent by recasting support as cooperation. They also warn that the measure would deepen technological dependence at a moment when public opinion appears more skeptical of Israeli policy and US backing. The article cites a New York Times-Siena poll in which 57 percent of US voters opposed additional economic and military support for Israel, and 62 percent disapproved of the conflict.
Wider context
The story lands amid intense criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza and its campaign in Lebanon, as well as attention to how Israel uses technology and AI in warfare. Supporters of stronger US-Israel ties in Congress are pushing back hard, including accusations that criticism of the provision crosses into antisemitism. The NDAA itself is a huge $1.15 trillion bill and already includes other pro-Israel measures, including cooperation on anti-tunnel and anti-drone capabilities.
Key points
- Section 224 of the NDAA would create a Pentagon executive agent to coordinate US-Israel defense-tech cooperation.
- Ro Khanna plans to try removing the section in committee; Thomas Massie says he will fight it on the House floor if needed.
- Critics say the measure could reduce transparency around US military aid to Israel and deepen dependence between the two militaries.
- The article says a recent NYT-Siena poll found 57% of US voters opposed more economic and military support for Israel.
- The NDAA still contains other pro-Israel provisions, including cooperation on anti-tunnel and anti-drone capabilities.
