12 Democratic senators oppose mandatory expansion of US-Israel defense ties
A group led by Senator Chris Van Hollen wants colleagues to reject three defense bill provisions requiring broader military and intelligence cooperation with Israel.
By Elena Perry ·
Twelve Democratic senators are urging Congress to reject provisions in an upcoming defense bill that would require the United States to expand security cooperation with Israel. In a letter sent Tuesday to congressional leaders, the group led by Senator Chris Van Hollen challenged plans for a joint defense technology initiative covering military and intelligence fields.
The senators argued that three provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act would give Israel influence over American weapons systems and military technology, putting US national security interests at risk. They said cooperation with Israel should remain a choice for the US government rather than an obligation imposed through legislation.
Their campaign faces significant obstacles. Republicans retain control of Congress until January, and the House approved the defense bill over the summer with the disputed provisions intact. The legislation must pass before the end of the year to prevent delays in carrying out new defense policies and programs.
The dispute also puts pressure on Democratic leaders ahead of their party taking control of both congressional chambers on January 3, 2027. Although the letter came from a largely progressive group, its signatories included senior senators Elizabeth Warren and Patty Murray, alongside more moderate Democrats Andy Kim, Brian Schatz and Tammy Duckworth. Progressives are expected to gain strength in the next Congress as criticism of Israel becomes more widespread within the party.
To illustrate their concerns, the senators cited Israel's decision to block a proposed US transfer of Iron Dome batteries to Ukraine in 2022. Israel largely developed the missile defense system and can veto American sales to other countries. It has restricted transfers over concerns that sensitive technology could reach its enemies and has maintained a more neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine war.
The lawmakers also argued that mandating closer cooperation would be ill-advised while the Israeli government pursues policies in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere in the region that they consider inconsistent with American interests and values. Their letter did not oppose security cooperation with Israel in principle.
Separately, Republican attorneys general from 13 states threatened economic retaliation against the United Kingdom and the Netherlands over recently announced sanctions targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In a Monday letter to the countries' ambassadors in Washington, they described settlement policy as an internal Israeli matter and called for the measures to be withdrawn.
The attorneys general warned that companies from the two countries could lose eligibility for state contracts or face state divestment. Britain and the Netherlands announced the sanctions alongside 10 other countries. The dispute comes as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have cited close US ties with Israel and growing opposition to the country as reasons for Republican losses in the midterm elections.
