Congress weighs U.S.-Israel defense tech pact as critics warn of leverage

Congress is considering defense-policy provisions to institutionalize U.S.-Israel defense-technology cooperation, which critics warn could give Israel leverage over U.S. military decisions. The National Defense Authorization Act would create a bilateral initiative for joint research, development, and co-production of weapons and technology in AI, cybersecurity, and other fields. Supporters call it mutually beneficial; critics say it embeds Israeli tech in Pentagon programs, reducing oversight. The proposal comes as some lawmakers seek to phase out the 3.8 billion dollars in annual U.S. military aid to Israel. Critics cite Israel's blocked Iron Dome transfers to Ukraine as a cautionary example.