Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he intends to gradually reduce Israel’s dependence on US military aid over the next decade, with the ultimate goal of bringing it to a complete end, in an interview with The Economist.
Netanyahu said he has already raised this prospect in discussions with US President Donald Trump, noting that Israel “has matured” and now possesses “significant capabilities”. He also pointed to plans to strengthen the domestic defence industry, which are being presented as a key pillar of a strategy aimed at greater self-reliance.
Domestically, the remarks come amid deliberations over the next military aid agreement with the United States after the current memorandum expires in 2028. Israeli media note that the government is not seeking a full renewal of an aid package of similar size.
The comments also prompted reactions in the United States, where Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said there was “no need to wait ten years” to reduce assistance, arguing that the funds could instead be directed towards strengthening the US armed forces. Graham’s intervention, despite coming from a long-standing ally of Israel, is seen as a sign that the debate could be brought forward.
Under current arrangements, US commitments provide for total assistance of $38 billion through to 2028. At the same time, Israel’s defence exports are rising, a trend the Israeli government cites as further justification for a gradual move towards self-sufficiency.