US senators seek to block defence bill over Israel aid

A group of US lawmakers is urging fellow Democrats to block consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) until the Senate has an opportunity to debate provisions that would deepen military and intelligence cooperation with Israel, underscoring growing divisions within the Democratic Party over support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, Reuters reports.

According to a letter led by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the lawmakers called on Senate Democrats to oppose advancing the annual defense policy bill until lawmakers can consider amendments related to U.S.-Israel ties.

The initiative reflects mounting unease within the Democratic Party ahead of November's midterm elections, as support for Israel—long a bipartisan consensus in Washington—has become an increasingly contentious issue.

"As Senate Democrats, we should not be providing votes compelling him (President Donald Trump) to deepen the U.S. relationship with Netanyahu's extremist government," the lawmakers wrote in the "Dear Colleague" letter.

The letter was also signed by Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Peter Welch of Vermont, and independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who caucuses with Democrats.

Congress is currently drafting the NDAA, which authorizes much of President Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion military budget. Versions approved by House and Senate committees include provisions aimed at expanding US-Israel defence cooperation.

According to the letter, an early draft of the Fiscal Year 2027 Intelligence Authorization Act, which is typically incorporated into the NDAA, would also strengthen intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel.

By Vafa Guliyeva