US Democrat Fails to Block Measure on Israel Military Cooperation

Congressman Ro Khanna’s Amendment to Revoke Defense Budget Provision Fails in House Armed Services Committee

A congressional panel in the United States has rejected an amendment introduced by Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna aimed at revoking a provision from the defense budget that would further integrate the US and Israeli militaries. The proposal, which was part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was voted down in a voice call on Thursday in the House Armed Services Committee.

The provision in question, Section 224, requires the Pentagon chief to designate an executive agent responsible for synchronizing cooperative efforts between the US and Israel. Critics have raised concerns that this measure may make US military aid to Israel more opaque and risk tethering the US military to its Israeli counterpart technologically.

Congressman Khanna had argued that the provision rewards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a time when he is trying to dictate US policy in the Middle East. He cited recent reports that President Donald Trump is angry with Netanyahu over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon.

Netanyahu has been pushing for a shift from direct military aid to “cooperation” with the US, and has written a letter to Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman endorsing a bill facilitating this transition. The measure would establish a new framework of joint defense cooperation, including codevelopment, coproduction, and mutual investment in areas such as advanced missile defense and artificial intelligence.

The House Armed Services Committee will now consider the proposal on its own merits, with no further action taken to revoke Section 224 at this time.

Source: Al Jazeera