Apologies for being scarce around here as I continue to recover from covid but I’m making an exception for this vital issue I just learned about via Adalah Justice Project (ADJ).

The following info comes from the ADJ (full text pasted below), but here’s the gist:

 

 

On Wednesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to mark up and vote on its version of FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House just voted on and finalized their version which includes Section 224: the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, which aims to merge the U.S. and Israeli military intelligence and surveillance systems.

Clearly, this would be catastrophic.

Please call each Democrat and Independent on the Senate Armed Services Committee (list below) OR send an email. Here’s all you have to convey:

I’m reaching out regarding an upcoming vote before the Senate Armed Services Committee. I want the senator to reject any measures that would merge U.S. and Israel military intelligence and surveillance systems. I just learned about this and am appalled it’s even being considered. This vote is VERY important and we need the senator to reject any such measures.

NOTE: if staffers asked for my zip code, I gave it and said I was calling all committee members because this is such an important vote that affects all of us.

Jack Reed (D – RI) (202) 224-4642
Jeanne Shaheen (D – NH) (202) 224-2841
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D – NY) (202) 224-4451
Richard Blumenthal (D – CT) (202) 224-2823
Mazie K. Hirono (D – HI) (202) 224-6361
Tim Kaine (D – VA) (202) 224-4024
Angus S. King (I – ME) (202) 224-5344
Elizabeth Warren (D – MA) (202) 224-4543
Gary C. Peters (D – MI) (202) 224-6221
Tammy Duckworth (D – IL) (202) 224-2854
Jacky Rosen (D – NV) (202) 224-6244
Mark Kelly (D – AZ) (202) 224-2235
Elissa Slotkin (D – MI) (202) 224-4822

You may also call the Senate switchboard to be connected to each senator’s office:
(202) 224-3121 (this is how I did it and it was easy-peasy!)

I wish I could provide a list of email addresses but each senator’s website puts that contact info in a different place and some only allow emails through their portals. (The above hyperlinks came via an action page at Center for Biological Diversity)

Thank you for taking action! ✊🏽

FULL ADALAH JUSTICE PROJECT text:

Last week, the House Armed Services Committee voted on and finalized its version of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including a terrifying new measure––the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative (Section 224)––which aims to merge the U.S. and Israeli military intelligence and surveillance systems through “network integration” and “data fusion,” joint training exercises, and co-production of military technologies and weapons.

On Wednesday, June 10, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) is expected to mark up and vote on its own version of FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Although the bill text hasn’t yet been released, it’s likely the draft will contain a measure similar to Section 224 of the House bill.

Championed by the Israel lobby and Prime Minister Netanyahu himself, Section 224 would move U.S. support for Israel away from the traditional framework of military funding packages that require Congressional oversight into a shadowy maze of Pentagon procurement, licensing, and backdoor deals that are harder for lawmakers, taxpayers, and future administrations to track and regulate. If passed, the initiative will supercharge Israel’s violence against Palestinians, and increase surveillance and targeting of activists by U.S./Israel intelligence agencies.

Call the Democratic and Independent Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee NOW before Wednesday’s expected mark up, and demand they reject any measures aiming to merge the U.S. and Israel’s military intelligence and surveillance apparatuses. Senate members must push to re-direct public funding towards community services like healthcare and housing––not genocidal wars and bloated Pentagon budgets.