Writer and researcher Ben Freeman warned that a new provision included in the House version of the US National Defense Authorization Act for 2027 (NDAA) could lead to an unprecedented level of military and industrial integration between the United States and Israel, exceeding, in his opinion, the level of cooperation that has arisen through more than $200 billion in US military aid provided to Israel since 1948.
Freeman explained in an article published on the Responsible Statecraft website that Article 224 of the project, entitled “ United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative ,” sets out a broad framework for bilateral cooperation in the areas of research and development, joint production of weapons, joint projects, and licensing agreements, in addition to expanding coordination in the areas of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous systems, directed energy, cybersecurity, and biotechnology.
Freeman: US-Israeli cooperation already exists in the field of missile defense, but the new clause would expand this cooperation to include most sectors of advanced defense technology.
He noted that US-Israeli cooperation already exists in the field of missile defense, but the new clause would expand this cooperation to include most sectors of advanced defense technology, including what he described as “network integration” and “data integration,” which could allow for a broader exchange of military information between the two countries.
The author believes that fully implementing this initiative would elevate the level of military and industrial integration between Washington and Tel Aviv above that of any other country in the world, including US allies in NATO, with whom they participate in some joint production projects and defense supply chains, according to the platform.
According to the article, this move could give the Israeli government additional leverage within the United States by expanding investments and joint production facilities, providing jobs within American states, and strengthening ties with members of Congress whose constituencies are represented by those projects.
Freeman: This move could give the Israeli government additional influence within the United States.
Freeman warned that the result could be an American political system more influenced by the policies of Israeli governments, at a time when criticism within the United States of Israel’s role in the region is growing.
The author cited a study by the Quincy Institute, prepared by researcher Steven Simon, which argued that the shift from the traditional military aid model to the direct military integration model may reduce political and diplomatic oversight mechanisms and move the relationship into a less transparent framework within the defense procurement system.
The article also noted that these developments come at a time when Israel is facing increasing criticism over the use of American weapons in the war on the Gaza Strip, amid accusations of violating international humanitarian law.
The author cited recent polls showing a decline in American public support for military policies related to Israel. According to a New York Times/Siena poll, only 30% of respondents considered President Donald Trump's decision to engage in military confrontation with Iran to be the right one, while 64% believed it was the wrong one.
A poll by the Institute for Global Affairs also showed that only 16% of Americans support continuing to supply Israel with weapons without additional conditions, while 38% called for a complete halt to military supplies, and 24% supported linking them to how those weapons are used.
Nevertheless, Freeman believes that the main leaders in both the Republican and Democratic parties still largely support Israel, which is reflected in the bills proposed before the debate and amendments are opened within Congress.
He noted a growing number of voices within both parties criticizing this approach, including Senator Chris Van Hollen, who wrote that the Democratic Party has offered unconditional support to Israeli governments despite what he sees as increasing contradictions between their policies and American interests. He also pointed to the positions of Representative Thomas Massie and former Representative Maggie Taylor Green, who have criticized the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups.
The author concluded by calling on members of Congress who oppose expanding military cooperation with Israel to drop Article 224 of the National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that passing it would lead to a deep military and industrial integration between the two countries, at a time when American public opposition to Israeli policies in the region is growing.
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