Civil rights groups campaign against deepening US-Israel defense cooperation

Dozens of civil rights and advocacy groups are campaigning against a provision in the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would deepen US-Israeli military technology cooperation. In a letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committees, 56 groups, including Amnesty International USA, urged lawmakers to remove Section 219, which aims to establish frameworks for joint ventures and co-production partnerships. They argue that creating "new points of influence for Israel in the US defense-technology ecosystem is exceptionally dangerous," especially given declining US public support for Israel and concerns over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The provision, which passed the House and awaits Senate action, is seen by supporters as a way to accelerate military innovation, while critics highlight the potential for increased entanglement at a time of diverging interests.