Key facts
- Democratic lawmakers are urging a debate on deepening U.S.-Israel ties before passing military spending legislation.
- A letter signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders opposes advancing the NDAA without debate.
- The lawmakers want to discuss proposals for increased U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation.
- The letter states that votes should not be compelled to deepen the U.S. relationship with Netanyahu's government.
- House and Senate committee versions of the NDAA include provisions for enhanced U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows a significant decline in Democrats' favorability towards Israel.
A group of U.S. Democratic lawmakers, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen, is urging their colleagues to block the advancement of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) until proposals to deepen U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation are debated. The letter, also signed by Senators Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and independent Senator Bernie Sanders, reflects growing divisions within the Democratic party over support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
The lawmakers stated they should not provide votes compelling President Donald Trump to deepen the U.S. relationship with what they described as Netanyahu's "extremist government." This push highlights an increasingly divisive issue for Democrats ahead of the midterm elections, challenging a long-standing bipartisan consensus on support for Israel.
Versions of the NDAA approved by House and Senate committees include provisions aimed at strengthening defense ties with Israel. An early draft of the fiscal 2027 Intelligence Authorization Act, typically attached to the NDAA, also proposes tighter intelligence cooperation. Recent polling indicates a shift in sentiment, with Israel's favorability rating among Democrats falling significantly from 59% in 2018 to 22% in May, according to Reuters/Ipsos data.