Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the British weekly magazine The Economist, published on Friday evening, that he hopes Israel will be able to dispense with U.S. military aid within the next ten years.
He stated, “During my recent visit with U.S. President Donald Trump, I expressed our deep appreciation for the military assistance the United States has provided us over the years.”
He added, “However, we have also reached a level of maturity. We have developed exceptional capabilities, and our economy will soon, within a decade, reach one trillion dollars.”
He continued, “Therefore, I would like to gradually reduce military assistance in the coming years.”
Israel’s defense industry, in a country that has lived in a near-constant state of war since its establishment in 1948, has experienced steady growth over recent years.
Nevertheless, Israel receives approximately $3.8 billion annually in financial aid from the United States to purchase weapons, under an agreement signed in 2016 that entered into force in 2019 and runs through 2028.
This amount represents about 15% of Israel’s defense budget, according to official media.
In addition, Israel has received emergency U.S. military assistance, particularly for its air defense systems, including the Iron Dome.
In 2021, the U.S. State Department reported that Washington has granted Israel more than $125 billion in military assistance since its founding as part of bilateral military aid.
In mid-May, amid apparently strained relations between Netanyahu and Trump, the Israeli prime minister hinted at the need for Israel to “gradually dispense with” U.S. military aid, without providing further details.
Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to stand trial while in office on corruption-related charges. He denies any involvement and describes the cases as part of a political conspiracy targeting him.
Netanyahu also confirmed his intention to run for another term in the upcoming elections, which are scheduled to be held no later than the end of October 2026.
AFP
