U.S. Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders has sharply criticized a section of the American defense budget that would further integrate the U.S. and Israeli military forces. In a post on social media platform X, Sanders said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been lobbying for the provision, known as Section 224, which he claims would quietly expand U.S.-Israel military cooperation and weapons development with almost no oversight. Sanders asserted that the American people no longer want any U.S. military assistance to Israel and urged that Section 224 must be blocked.

Under Section 224, the U.S. Secretary of Defense would be required to appoint an executive agent to coordinate all aspects of military cooperation between the two countries. The coordination would include joint research and development, co-production of weapons, and integration of military systems and data networks. If passed, the bill would also expand collaboration in advanced warfare areas such as artificial intelligence, drones, and cyber operations.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights growing debate over the scope and transparency of U.S.-Israel defense collaboration.