Fact Check: Are the United States and Israel merging their armed forces?
WASHINGTON, DC: As the tensions in the Middle East continue to simmer, a post on social media platforms claimed that the armed forces of the United States and Israel are merging. The claim has sparked outrage, concerns, and speculation about the alleged development, prompting verification.
Claim: United States and Israel are merging their military
After Section 219, formerly called Section 224, of the US annual defense budget and policy bill passed the House of Representatives on July 22, a section of the bill drew the attention of the public, with many claiming it would effectively merge the militaries of the US and Israel.
The rumor raised concerns among social media users about the sovereignty of America, as the ties between the two nations are facing declining public support.
Referring to the National Defense Authorization Act, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) posted on X, “Tomorrow, the House will vote on the NDAA, which includes a provision to merge parts of our military with the IDF. This amendment is an existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy."
California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, on June 4, introduced an amendment to strike the Section from the bill, but it was voted down by the Armed Services Committee.
Fact Check: The Section doesn't explicitly propose a merger
However, there is no evidence the two militaries would fully merge; rather, the section would install an executive agent responsible for overseeing cooperative efforts between the two nations, in defense technology and otherwise, to "promote the long-term integration of joint capabilities between the United States and Israel."
Alabama Republican Rep. Mike Rogers clarified, saying, “Section 224 doesn't create any new programs within the Department of Defense; it simply designates a single, senior official to coordinate existing initiatives. Section 224 actually improves oversight and accountability of these programs by designating a single official responsible for them."
Benjamin Netanyahu explains shift from aid to partnership
Speaking to Fox News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 12 asserted that the section would be a move "from aid to partnership."
He went on to explain, “So we take away the money that is given to Israel, which is one part, but the other part is we co-invest, in equal measures, in the new technologies that are needed to give our military and your military the advantage."
"So there are some unbelievable projects. So we'd invest jointly and take the fruits equally; you move from aid to partnership, and I think that represents what Israel is.“
