Dozens of civil rights and advocacy groups are urging lawmakers to drop a provision in a defense bill. This provision would deepen military technology ties between the US and Israel. The groups made their request in a letter, which was seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The letter comes at a time of growing skepticism in the US. Further details about the letter and the groups' concerns are available.

The provision in question is part of a defense bill currently before Congress. The groups are pushing for its removal, but the outcome is not yet known.