ADC Rejects Israel-First Military Integration Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2026
[email protected]

Washington, D.C. — Jenin Younes, Interim President and National Legal Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), issued the following statement opposing draft Section 224 of the House FY2027 NDAA, which seeks to deepen the U.S.-Israel military alliance, along with other congressional efforts:

“Section 224 advances an Israel-first agenda that is antithetical to American interests.

As currently drafted, the provision directs the Secretary of Defense, through a designated agent, to coordinate and further the U.S.-Israel military alliance. A separate resolution by U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman indicates that this is part of a concerted effort to move the U.S.-Israel relationship toward mutual defense cooperation and joint economic investment.

These efforts are unconscionable in 2026, at a time when Americans are turning against Israel in record numbers, after witnessing 2.5 years of its genocide in Gaza and Lebanon, and its utter disregard for the lives of Iranians and others in the region. Israel has no right to privileged access to American defense systems when its military and surveillance sectors have deployed weapons and surveillance systems against Palestinians, exported spyware to target human rights defenders and journalists, and carried out a terrorist attack in Lebanon by detonating pagers and other electronic devices, indiscriminately killing and injuring civilians.

Yet instead of responding to the American people’s calls to end support for Israel, especially military support, far too many members of Congress are doubling down and heeding the calls of their handlers in Tel Aviv, as evidenced by these legislative efforts.

Not only does Section 224 strengthen a relationship with a country we should be sanctioning. It will also make it more difficult both for taxpayers to trace financial support for Israel, and to effectuate an end of military support – which is what most Americans want.

ADC will be closely watching this proposed legislation as it works its way through Congress. To the extent it passes in a form that violates constitutional protections and civil rights law, ADC will consider litigation.”