Democratic Majority for Israel, the Democratic pro-Israel advocacy group, released a proposal on Thursday for a “modernized U.S.-Israel relationship,” with a focus on reimagined ties between the countries following the end of the current memorandum of understanding on military aid, set to expire in 2028.

The plan comes as Democrats grapple with the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship, particularly ahead of a potential Democratic majority in one or both chambers of Congress, which could bring renewed efforts to end or substantially condition U.S. military aid and sales to the Jewish state. 

The framework laid out by DMFI mirrors the policies likely to be championed by moderate pro-Israel Democrats in the coming Congress.

“‘Cut everything’ and ‘defend everything’ are shortcuts. Neither is a serious policy for advancing peace in the region,” DMFI said in a press release. “Our vision offers a path grounded in security, responsibility, regional cooperation, and sustained American leadership.”

DMFI said that the U.S. should fulfill its commitments on military aid through the end of the current MOU, arguing that failing to do so “would diminish the close defense partnership through which the United States and Israel plan, develop, and produce the capabilities both countries need to confront shared threats.”

The group maintained that the U.S. and the region “have far more to gain from a stronger and more effective partnership” than from cutting off the U.S.-Israel relationship, and that the path forward will help secure military victories against Iran and its proxies, protect American troops and civilians, support regional partners and strengthen the path toward a two-state solution.

Beyond 2028, the group urged focusing on “more joint development and production in missile defense, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies” — which itself has proven to be a controversial idea among some congressional Democrats and, to a lesser extent, Republicans.

But it also did not fully rule out the potential for “some” continued military aid and missile defense funding past 2028, while suggesting that such aid would likely be phased out “over time, and by mutual agreement … toward an increasingly reciprocal relationship centered on joint investment, innovation, and technological advantage.”

And it said that the U.S. still “has a strategic and moral interest in ensuring that Israel can deter and defend against threats to Israel’s fundamental security,” including preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge and ensuring that Israel maintains access to the military capabilities it needs.

DMFI said that cooperative military programs redound to the U.S.’ benefit, allowing “access to capabilities, operational experience, and regional insights that would be difficult and costly to replicate independently,” while allowing Israel and other partners to “shoulder more of the security burden” while the U.S. turns attention toward China and the Indo-Pacific.

The group emphasized that continued support for Israel “does not require support for every decision made by an Israeli government” and that the U.S. should speak out when Israel undermines “shared interests, democratic values, prospects for peace, or Israel’s own long-term security” and work with Israel to ensure that security assistance “continues to be used in accordance with U.S. law and that military operations incorporate effective measures to minimize civilian harm.”

But it also firmly rejected the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and other efforts to delegitimize Israel and deny its right to exist as a Jewish state, as well as double standards singling out Israel.

“Criticism of Israeli governments and policies is legitimate, but political debate about Israel must never become a vehicle for antisemitism or collective blame of Jews,” the DMFI plan argues.

It said that the U.S., Israel, Palestinians and Arab states should continue to push toward a two-state solution, and that such a path includes obligations for both Israelis and Palestinians, and steps to improve conditions for Palestinians even without broader final-status negotiations.

The group said Israel must act to halt settler violence in the West Bank; “preserve the territorial integrity, economic viability, and institutional capacity necessary for legitimate Palestinian governance and eventual statehood”; and not work to weaken the Palestinian Authority, arguing that it’s in Israel’s interest to ensure stronger PA institutions and economic conditions as an alternative to extremism.

At the same time, DMFI’s plan describes Israeli skepticism of and concern about a Palestinian state as valid and based on Israel’s experience, particularly in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, and said that security arrangements around a two-state solution must “give Israelis confidence that a future Palestinian state will not become another base for terrorism.”

It also argues that the PA is a critical part of a two-state solution but must be significantly reformed to reject terrorism, support Hamas’ removal, stop incitement, overhaul educational materials that incite terrorism, combat corruption and improve governance.

“A reformed PA must demonstrate that it can serve its population, maintain security, govern responsibly, and act as a credible partner for peace before assuming responsibility for Gaza,” DMFI said. “The United States and its regional partners should help the PA undertake these reforms while establishing clear benchmarks to measure and verify progress.”

DMFI called on Arab states to work to strengthen the PA while integrating more closely with Israel.

In Gaza, the DMFI plan largely aligns with the 20-point peace plan put forward by the Trump administration, including disarming Hamas, establishing governance and ensuring humanitarian assistance, which “will require sustained American leadership and diplomatic engagement over many years.”

It argues that recovery and reconstruction should start in Israeli-controlled areas with a shift toward civilian governance and international oversight.

The plan speaks in broad strokes about a path forward for Iran, describing diplomacy as “an essential tool” to addressing Iran’s various threats, “backed by credible deterrence, rigorous verification, economic pressure, and close coordination with allies and regional partners,” alongside “military force [when] necessary” with clear goals and congressional authorization.

It also calls on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and offers support for “stable governance” in Syria that will block Iran and other terrorist groups from using Syrian territory to attack Israel.

“DMFI is proposing a vision for the Middle East that a Democratic majority can actually govern with: security for Israel, self-determination for the Palestinian people, and stability for the region, with every party carrying obligations you can name, measure, and verify,” DMFI President Brian Romick said in a statement. “Our commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad, and we are equally clear that there is no lasting peace without Israeli responsibility and no Palestinian state without credible Palestinian governance.”

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is seen as a potential presidential contender, also praised the plan. The Democratic operative delivered a major speech in Israel earlier this year offering criticisms of Israeli policy and calling for an end of unconditional support for the Jewish state.

“DMFI is right to put regional stability, Israel’s security, and Palestinian self-determination in the same conversation. None succeeds on its own,” Emanuel said. “The next step is to make the Arab states full partners in building a credible path to Palestinian sovereignty and Israeli security — and to be clear that America’s support for Israel does not mean silence when its government makes choices that undermine both.”

Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee that oversees U.S. military aid to Israel, said in a statement on the proposal that “U.S. partnership with Israel is essential to our national security and to advancing peace and stability in the Middle East” and that the DMFI plan “offer[s] a thoughtful and serious vision for strengthening that relationship to meet today’s challenges, while making clear that American interests, Israel’s security and Palestinian self-determination can be advanced together.”

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), who co-chairs the Congressional Jewish Caucus and the Abraham Accords Caucus and is a leader among moderate pro-Israel Democrats, said, “Especially at this critical moment, it is vitally important to chart a course that strengthens the U.S.-Israel relationship and advances our mutual security interests and shared democratic values. I look forward to working with DMFI and others committed to this effort to help shape that future.”