Overview
- The FY2027 NDAA contains a provision to create a United States‑Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative that would formalize joint intelligence sharing and cooperative weapons research in areas such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
- Rep. Adam Smith announced he has withdrawn support for the provision and said he will vote to remove it if it comes to the House floor, increasing pressure on the measure.
- An amendment by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna to strip the section was previously blocked and Massie is expected to reintroduce the effort to remove the language from the bill.
- Public figures including former NCTC director Joe Kent and advocacy groups have campaigned against the measure, citing risks to U.S. sovereignty, counterintelligence exposure, and supply‑chain vulnerabilities.
- Supporters say the change would codify and speed existing cooperation, while critics warn that embedding the initiative in statute would make future presidents or Congresses unlikely to unwind deep military and intelligence ties with Israel; public opinion data cited in coverage shows rising unfavorable views of Israel, which is shaping the debate.