Posted on 04/27/2026 1:40:56 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
A real policy push emerged in 2024 to extend certain legal protections to Americans who serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In 2024, members of Congress introduced H.R. 8445, a bill that would have amended federal law “to provide for the eligibility of United States citizens who serve in the Israeli Defense Forces for certain protections relating to such service.”
Under current law, US veterans’ benefits are tied to service in the US armed forces. The statutory definition of “veteran” appears at 38 USC § 101(2) and limits eligibility to those who served in US military forces or narrow statutory exceptions. The proposal in H.R. 8445 would move away from that framework.
Who Was Pushing for It and What They Were Saying
The legislation was introduced in 2024 by Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Max Miller (R-OH). In their official statement, they said the bill was intended to support Americans serving in Israel and noted that “over 20,000 American citizens are currently defending Israel.” They added that the legislation would “ensure we do everything possible to support these heroes.”
The proposal explicitly frames IDF service as deserving of treatment similar to US military service for certain protections. Reporting summarizing the bill stated that it would treat Americans serving in the IDF “in the same manner as service in the uniformed services” for specific legal protections.
What Exactly They Were Trying to Extend
The bill focused on extending two core legal protections that apply to US servicemembers.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides protections such as limits on interest rates, protections against eviction and foreclosure, and relief in certain legal proceedings.
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)...
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
No frigging way.
This Israel supporter says no effin’ way.
Not only no...!!!
If an American citizen decides to join another country’s military, then he should not be covered by any American law or military jurisdiction pertaining while serving in that service. He has chosen to do his work with them and should be considered separated from the US for that purpose. Our laws should not apply to Israeli laws and military direction any more than any other country’s laws in our country concerning US citizens. It creates a question of span and control along with orders directed at the member concerning priority A equipment and personnel. No other country’s laws pertain to us except when we are in their country and the member should not be placed in a position of making a decision between two country’s direction.
wy69
I have a better idea. Anyone who serves in the armed forces of a foreign nation should be stripped of their U.S. citizenship and deported.
Serving in a foreign military is on your own dime.
and, NOT for US Citizens.
Choose your loyalty, and your country.
Can’t serve two masters.
Patriots, Call Congress
US Capitol switchboard
(202) 224-3121.
Call the White House
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
TTY/TTD Comments: 202-456-6213
Send a letter to the White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Message: Say no to H.R. 8445, a bill that would amend US federal law “to provide for the eligibility of US citizens who serve in a foreign country ——in the Israeli Defense Forces—— for certain protections relating to such service.”
Under current law, US veterans’ benefits are tied to service in the US armed forces. The statutory definition of “veteran” appears at 38 USC § 101(2) and limits eligibility to those who serve solely in US military forces. The proposal in H.R. 8445 would move away from that framework.
If an American citizen decides to join a foreign country’s military, he should not be covered by American law or US military jurisdiction. He has chosen to work in a foreign country. US laws are sacrosanct and should not apply to foreign countries, leasr if all Israeli laws and Israeli military direction.
It creates an appalling question of span and control. Contemplating Israeli military orders directed at the US member are truly shocking. No other foreign country’s laws pertain to us. The Israeli military member’s US citizenship should be forthrightly questioned.
“I have a better idea. Anyone who serves in the armed forces of a foreign nation should be stripped of their U.S. citizenship and deported.”
Whoa, there, cowboy. Let’s knock off the antisemitisms.
The only bit worth having imho is legal protection against islamist controlled international bodies that want to extradite them for serving in the IDF at all.
Otherwise, it’s their choice. I volunteer on a civilian basis in the IDF’s Sar-El, and would appreciate not being extradited to Iran, for example.
I am confused. Did this pass and was signed by Biden, or no?
As of mid-2024, no bill has been passed into law that extends U.S. military benefits to citizens serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). While proposed legislation exists, it has not been enacted due to immense opposition. Source: House Committee on Appropriations (.gov)
The highly unpopular bill was proposed (H.R. 8445) in May 2024 as the facetiously entitled “Protecting Americans in the IDF Act.”
Its a bill the self-serving Israeli lobby aims to set apart Jewish Americans serving in the IDF as eligible for US protections under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
The Israeli lobby bill, H.R. 8445, has been referred to a subcommittee and to date, has been impossible to pass because of American opposition. Reports in late 2024 incorrectly claimed this was part of a larger US spending bill, which Reuters confirmed was false.
Most Americans oppose H.R. 8445 which the Israeli lobby specifically aims to provide US tax dollars, legal, and employment protections for Jewish Americans volunteering in the IDF.....a foreign country’s military financed w/ US tax dollars.
The U.S. has provided the IDF over $300 billion tax dollars in total assistance since 1948. A 2019-2028 agreement commits $38 billion tax dollars ($33 billion in grants, $5 billion for missile defense) to Israel.
The funding gulls the US taxpayer, by being promoting as Israel “purchasing” American-made military equipment, when, in point of fact, the US Congress passed a law stipulating the billions in weaponry were “gifts” to Israel.
Israel’s getting free US advanced weapons technology, such as the US F-35 fighter jets and US missile defense systems, yet the IDF is wholly financed by US tax dollars.
Assassination plotter Cole Allen in his IDF shirt.
This doesnt really belong here but I had to put
it SOMEWHERE until a proper thread surfaces.
Israel finances its scientific findings through a combination of high government investment (roughly 6.35% of GDP for civilian R&D), competitive grants from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF), and strong private sector investment.
Key funding sources also include international collaborations like EU Horizon programs, and binational funds like the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF).
Primary Funding Mechanisms are Government & Competitive Grants: The ISF acts as the primary source for basic research funding, distributing roughly $165 million annually to over 1,500 projects.
Over 80% of basic research takes place in universities, which are supported by the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education.
National Initiatives are TELEM a government forum that handles large-scale, cross-agency research initiatives, including international scientific infrastructure memberships.
Israel boasts one of the highest expenditures on R&D globally, heavily driven by private, industrial investment, particularly in technology and biotech.
Defense & Specialized Grants: Specialized agencies like the Ministry of Energy fund applied research, while the U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program provides significant funding for defense-related technologies. Israel is a major beneficiary of the EU’s Horizon Europe framework, receiving over $2 billion for research since 2014. -—— OECD
Note: The Center for Strategic and International Studies provides additional insight into
how Israel’s soaring R&D spending is sustained within Israel’s US tax subsidized economy
American Jewish Committee points out that “antisemitism” covers topics such as:
<><>hatred of Jews,
<><>conspiracy theories about Jewish control of media, govt, etc,
<><>Holocaust denial,
<><>disparaging comments about Israel.
You have got to be kidding me.
We have been completely conquered.
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