US-Israel military merger bill a threat to American democracy

A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 219 in the House and Section 1217 in the Senate, proposes to permanently integrate the American and Israeli militaries. This initiative, called the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, would mandate intelligence sharing and joint weapons research, development, and production, particularly in AI and autonomous systems. It would also restrict the President's ability to limit intelligence collaboration with Israel over human rights abuses, requiring congressional notification and only allowing national security as a justification.

“I cannot support endless conflict even though I support Israel’s right to exist,”

said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), who recently withdrew his support for the provision. Critics argue that this measure, if passed, would make the US military more entangled with Israel's than with any other nation, including NATO allies, and would be extremely difficult for future administrations to undo, regardless of shifts in American public opinion, which has increasingly turned unfavorable towards Israel.