House Panel Rejects Bid to Limit US-Israel Defense Cooperation Framework]

A U.S. congressional committee voted Thursday to reject an amendment that would have removed a provision from the defense budget aimed at deepening military integration between the United States and Israel.

The amendment, introduced by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, sought to eliminate Section 224 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would establish a Pentagon official tasked with overseeing cooperative efforts between the two countries. The measure was defeated in a voice vote within the House Armed Services Committee and is now poised to advance to the full House of Representatives.

Khanna argued that Section 224 effectively rewards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while he pursues policies that contradict U.S. interests, particularly amid reports of strained relations between Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.

“America First means putting American interests first—even when it comes to our relationship with Israel,” Khanna said. “We should not be expanding military cooperation through backdoor provisions in must-pass legislation.”

Section 224 mandates the Secretary of Defense to designate an executive agent responsible for coordinating bilateral defense research, development, testing, and industrial cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. Critics contend the provision could obscure military aid to Israel by framing it as collaborative activity rather than direct assistance.

Democratic Representative Adam Smith, the committee’s top Democrat, expressed sympathy for Khanna’s concerns regarding Netanyahu’s leadership but maintained that strong U.S.-Israel defense ties serve American strategic interests. “Israel has been forced to innovate due to ongoing threats, and those advancements have benefited U.S. security,” Smith said.

The measure aligns with Netanyahu’s push to reframe U.S. aid as “cooperation” rather than traditional assistance. In a letter to Republican Representative Marlin Stutzman, Netanyahu wrote, “The time has now arrived for us to move from aid recipient to partner,” endorsing frameworks for joint defense development and investment in areas such as missile defense and artificial intelligence.

Palestinian rights advocates and organizations have condemned the provision, arguing it entrenches support for Israel amid allegations of humanitarian violations in Gaza and conflicts in Iran and Lebanon.

Republican Representative Thomas Massie has pledged to challenge Section 224 when the NDAA reaches the House floor.

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