56 US groups urge Congress to drop Israel defence ties provision

Dozens of civil rights and advocacy organizations have written to Congress urging them to remove a defence bill provision that would strengthen US-Israeli military technology alliances, according to a document obtained by Reuters. The provision, found in the 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act, aims to expedite joint military technology projects and partnerships between the two nations.

The letter, addressed to the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, argues that deepening the US-Israel defence relationship could pose significant risks. The 56 groups that signed the letter include Amnesty International USA, the National Lawyers Guild, and a mix of Arab and Jewish advocacy organizations. They contend that the era of unconditional US support for Israel has passed, and that growing US-Israeli military ties would be "exceptionally dangerous."

The groups caution that such integration could create new points of influence for Israel in the US defence-technology sector at a time when American interests and public opinion are increasingly diverging from those of Israel.