The recent congressional action advancing the United States–Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative should concern every American, regardless of political party or religious belief. This provision is part of the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. It would establish a Pentagon-level structure to expand and accelerate military research, development, testing, technology integration, and industrial cooperation between the United States and Israel.
Supporters tell us that this does not officially merge the two militaries. Technically, that may be true. It does not place American and Israeli soldiers under one command. Nevertheless, I believe it brings the two military establishments much closer together and could make it increasingly difficult for America to separate its interests from the policies and wars of the Israeli government.
This is my opinion. I am not speaking against Jewish people, nor am I denying Israel’s right to exist and protect its citizens. I am speaking against binding the military future of the United States to the decisions of another government—especially one whose goals do not always agree with America’s best interests.
An Ally Should Not Control Our Direction
America must deal with Israel as a sovereign nation, but Israel must also deal with America as a sovereign nation. A genuine alliance should not require the United States to follow another country into every conflict it chooses to pursue.
The Israeli government has repeatedly demonstrated that it will place what it considers Israel’s interests ahead of American interests. That is what governments normally do. The problem arises when American leaders begin placing Israel’s interests ahead of the safety, prosperity, and constitutional authority of the American people.
Israel may want Iran’s military power, nuclear capabilities, government, and regional influence destroyed. Some Israeli leaders may believe that nothing short of the complete defeat of Iran will provide lasting security. But America must ask a different question: What will such a war cost the American people?
Will it cost American lives? Will our military bases be attacked? Will the Strait of Hormuz remain closed or restricted? Will gasoline and food prices continue to rise? Will our national debt increase? Will American families be asked to sacrifice for objectives that cannot be achieved without an endless war?
Israel’s goals and America’s interests are not automatically the same.
History Gives Us Reasons for Caution
There have been serious incidents in the history of American-Israeli relations that should prevent us from offering unquestioning trust.
In 1954, Israeli agents carried out bombings against American- and British-associated targets in Egypt as part of what became known as the Lavon Affair. The intention was to place blame on Egyptian groups and influence Western policy.
In 1967, Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats attacked the USS Liberty, killing 34 Americans and wounding 171. Israel maintained that the attack was a tragic case of mistaken identity, and the United States officially accepted that explanation. Nevertheless, many survivors and others have continued to dispute it. At the very least, the incident demonstrates why no foreign government should be placed beyond examination or criticism.
There have also been espionage cases, disputes over settlements, disagreements concerning civilian casualties, and occasions when Israeli policies have complicated American diplomatic efforts.
Recognizing these facts is not antisemitism. It is historical honesty. Governments must be judged by their conduct, not protected from criticism by religious or political slogans.
The Bible says:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV
That command applies to political alliances as surely as it applies to anything else.
The Iran War Cannot Be Solved by Destruction
I believe Israel’s determination to break or destroy Iran has made it more difficult to bring the present war to an end. If the objective is the complete elimination of Iran’s military strength, government, nuclear knowledge, missile production, and regional influence, then there may be no achievable stopping point.
Iran is not merely a collection of military bases that can be bombed into submission. It is a large nation with millions of people, a long history, considerable resources, and allies and interests throughout the region. Bombing power plants, water systems, bridges, factories, and civilian infrastructure may cause terrible suffering, but suffering does not always produce surrender. It often creates another generation filled with anger and a desire for revenge.
The United States must be able to demand an honest ceasefire and meaningful negotiations—even when the Israeli government wants the war continued.
If this new military partnership makes Washington less willing or less able to restrain Israel, it will not make America safer. It will make America more deeply responsible for whatever happens next.
Technology Cooperation Can Become War Entanglement
Supporters argue that this initiative concerns technology rather than military command. But military technology is not separate from warfare. Research, weapons development, testing, supply chains, intelligence, targeting systems, missile defense, artificial intelligence, and industrial production are all parts of modern war.
When two nations integrate these areas, their military interests become harder to separate. American weapons may depend upon Israeli technology, Israeli weapons may depend upon American funding and components, and both governments may begin treating criticism of the partnership as a threat to national security.
That creates an important question: If Israel enters another war, will America still be free to remain out of it?
The warning of Scripture should be remembered:
“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”
—Proverbs 26:17, KJV
America has spent decades becoming involved in Middle Eastern wars. We have buried our soldiers, spent trillions of dollars, destroyed nations, displaced families, and left behind bitterness. Yet our leaders continue telling us that one more military commitment will finally produce peace.
Violence has not brought lasting peace. Deeper military integration will not change that truth.
Supporting Israel Does Not Require Surrendering American Independence
Christians are frequently told that questioning Israeli policy is the same as opposing God. I reject that argument. The modern State of Israel is governed by politicians and military leaders who are capable of error, pride, corruption, miscalculation, and injustice, just like the leaders of every other country.
We can pray for Jewish people without supporting every decision of the Israeli government. We can pray for the people of Iran without approving of the Iranian government. We can grieve for Israeli victims, Palestinian children, Iranian families, and American soldiers without choosing hatred against any people.
Jesus said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
—Matthew 5:9, KJV
Our responsibility is not to encourage one nation to destroy another. Our responsibility is to seek truth, justice, mercy, and peace.
America Must Remain Free to Say No
My greatest concern is that this legislation could bind America so closely to Israel’s military system that future presidents and members of Congress will find it politically and practically impossible to say no.
America must retain the freedom to say:
No to an unnecessary war.
No to attacks upon civilian infrastructure.
No to collective punishment.
No to forced regime change.
No to policies that endanger American troops.
No to a war whose objectives continually expand.
No to placing another country’s ambitions ahead of America’s welfare.
George Washington warned the young nation about becoming entangled in permanent foreign attachments. Whether we call this arrangement a merger, an initiative, or a technological partnership, its practical effect could be to tie America more tightly to the military decisions of Israel.
I do not believe that is good for America.
My Final Concern
Israel has every right to make decisions that its leaders believe are necessary for Israel. But America has the same right—and responsibility—to decide what is best for America.
We should negotiate peace where peace is possible. We should place conditions upon military assistance. We should demand accountability for the use of American weapons. Most importantly, Congress should never surrender its authority to decide when and why American lives and resources are placed at risk.
The Bible warns:
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
—Proverbs 16:18, KJV
Pride tells leaders that superior weapons can solve every problem. Arrogance tells nations that they can destroy their enemies without creating new ones. History tells us otherwise.
I fear this legislation is another step toward making Israel’s wars America’s wars. At a time when we desperately need diplomacy, restraint, and honest negotiations, Congress is building a closer machinery of war.
That is why, in my opinion, this bill is not good for America.
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