Senators Seek Removal of Three U.S.-Israel Provisions

Sen. Chris Van Hollen and 11 other senators have asked congressional leaders to remove three provisions expanding U.S.-Israel defense technology and intelligence cooperation from fiscal 2027 legislation. Their November 10 letter seeks to exclude Sections 1217, 219 and 618, arguing the measures could limit U.S. security decisions and create long-term commitments. The final legislation is still being negotiated.

Sections 1217 and 219, in the Senate and House versions of the National Defense Authorization Act, respectively, would establish a U.S.-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative. The senators said it could expand joint research, technology development and weapons production, giving Israel greater leverage over U.S. weapons systems and embedding Israeli technology in the U.S. defense industrial base.

The proposed initiative covers fields including artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, biotechnology, quantum technology and cyberwarfare. The House version would also direct the Pentagon to appoint an executive agent to coordinate the cooperation, according to descriptions of the measure. The proposal concerns technology and industrial collaboration; it would not...