In a significant victory for opponents of Israeli entanglement in US politics, the Senate voted 50-46 on Tuesday to block the massive $1.15 trillion defence bill. This rare defeat for “must-pass” legislation was driven by Democratic opposition to provisions that would have integrated US and Israeli militaries—mandating joint weapons research, “data fusion” for targeting, and expanded intelligence sharing. Senator Chris Van Hollen condemned these measures for “crawling through quietly,” while a coalition of 14 civil liberties groups praised the halt.

However, this triumph is not final. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is likely to return in altered form, as Republicans and some Democrats will seek compromise amendments or a new vote. The bill’s defeat reflects a dramatic shift in Democratic sentiment, with Israel’s favourability among the party plunging from 59% to 22%. While the current version is stopped, the legislative fight over military integration is far from over.