Congress Bill Binds US to Israel's Military. Critics Call It a Trap

Israel and its lobby are pushing a new law to tie the United States even closer to a nation many now call a rogue state. Section 224 of the National Defense Authorization Act would embed Israel’s military deep into the US defense industry, according to experts. Congress is considering the legislation as public support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank drops sharply. Backers of the bill hope to keep US aid flowing without debate over Israel’s policies. To do this, the proposal avoids any mention of Israel’s controversial actions. Instead, it focuses on the technical details of weapons and spending. The goal is to shield a flood of campaign cash that is already being used to defeat candidates who question US support for Israel. Political analysts say the bill is a trap. It would bind the US to a government that has increasingly acted against American interests and international law.