US-Israel defence technology plan advances to House floor despite opposition

WASHINGTON: A proposal to broaden defence technology cooperation between the United States and Israel has moved closer to a full House vote after surviving its first significant test in Congress.

The measure, titled the United States-Israel Defence Technology Cooperation Initiative, was advanced by the House Armed Services Committee on Friday after members voted down an amendment that sought to strip it from the annual defence policy bill. The proposal is part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the legislation through which Congress sets US military policy and priorities each year.

If approved, the initiative would create a formal structure for expanded collaboration between US and Israeli defence companies and research bodies. It would also require the Pentagon to appoint a senior official to coordinate joint projects and identify areas for cooperation, including artificial intelligence, cyber security, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing and counter-drone technology.

Debate in committee

Supporters have presented the plan as an extension of a long-established partnership that already covers intelligence-sharing, missile defence programmes and joint weapons development. They say closer work in emerging technologies would help both countries preserve military advantages amid changing security conditions.

Opponents argue that the proposal would take the relationship beyond current arrangements and could produce an unprecedented degree of integration between the two defence sectors. The strongest challenge so far came from Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, who tried to remove the provision during the committee’s deliberations.

"We need to tell Netanyahu that America calls the shots, not the prime minister of any other country," Khanna told the committee.

Khanna’s amendment was backed by Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky who has also questioned deeper military commitments overseas. The effort failed after lawmakers from both parties defended the measure.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers rejected the criticism, saying that "Claims that this provision somehow cedes authority to a foreign government are ridiculous."

Representative Adam Smith, the panel’s senior Democrat, said the initiative largely puts existing cooperation between the two countries into a more formal framework.

Next steps and wider context

The issue is expected to resurface when the defence bill reaches the House floor, likely in July, where critics are expected to renew their objections. Even if the House passes the legislation, the Senate would still need to approve its own version before both chambers reconcile differences and send a final bill to the president.

The committee debate comes amid broader political shifts in Washington. Although support for Israel remains strong on Capitol Hill, divisions have become more apparent in recent years, especially after the Gaza war and increasing criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Progressive Democrats have raised more questions about military aid and diplomatic backing for Israel, while most Republicans and many mainstream Democrats continue to support close strategic ties.

For now, backers of the defence technology initiative have cleared the first major hurdle, but the proposal still faces further debate before it can become law.