Key facts
- Dozens of civil rights and advocacy groups are urging Congress to remove Section 219 from the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.
- Section 219 aims to establish frameworks for joint ventures, licensing agreements, and co-production partnerships between U.S. and Israeli defense industries.
- The provision passed the House of Representatives in July and is awaiting Senate action.
- Groups like Amnesty International USA and the National Lawyers Guild are among the 56 signatories of the letter.
- The letter argues that deepening defense ties is dangerous given diverging U.S. and Israeli interests and declining U.S. public support for Israel.
Dozens of civil rights and advocacy groups are urging Congress to remove a provision from the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would deepen U.S.-Israeli military technology ties. The provision, Section 219, aims to establish frameworks for joint ventures, licensing agreements, and U.S.-based co-production partnerships with Israel's defense industry.
The groups, including Amnesty International USA and the National Lawyers Guild, argue in a letter that deeper integration with Israel's defense sector would be "exceptionally dangerous" at a time when American interests are diverging from Israel's and public opinion is turning against unconditional support. They also cite Israel's potential violations of international humanitarian law in its war in Gaza and rising settler violence against Palestinians.
Supporters of the provision contend that deeper ties could accelerate military innovation and technology development. Israel is a close U.S. ally, with extensive cooperation on defense and intelligence. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed a desire for Israel to move from an aid recipient to a partner.
U.S. public support for Israel has declined, particularly among Democrats, since the Gaza war began in October 2023. A June Quinnipiac University poll indicated that 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats believe the U.S. is too supportive of Israel.
An amendment introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna to block the provision did not make it into the House version of the bill. The bill passed the House in July and now awaits Senate action. A compromise version must be passed by both chambers before being sent to President Donald Trump.