Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is under fire for claiming the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would ‘merge parts of our military with the Israel Defense Forces.’ The provision in question, Section 219, aims to deepen U.S.-Israel defense integration through cooperation on military technology, supply chains, research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and joint exercises.

Republican Response

Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials have disputed Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization, arguing that the measure strengthens defense cooperation with Israel but does not merge the two militaries. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin called the claim ‘FALSE,’ accusing the congresswoman of misrepresenting the bill. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., blasted Ocasio-Cortez, calling her to ‘stop stoking Jew hatred.’ Lawler argued the provision simply expands the type of defense cooperation the United States already maintains with close allies.

Other lawmakers, including Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., have expressed concerns about the provision, but framed it differently. Massie introduced an amendment to strip Section 219 from the legislation, but it was not allowed a vote. Khanna criticized House leadership for blocking a vote on the amendment, writing that Congress had prevented consideration of a proposal to stop ‘the integration of our military with Israel’s.’

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.