Netanyahu Announces Plan to End US Military Aid Within a Decade

In a bold and unprecedented statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to phase out Israel’s reliance on U.S. military aid within the next decade, signaling a strategic shift in the Jewish state’s long-term defense and diplomatic posture.

In an interview published Friday, Netanyahu told The Economist that he may not seek to fully renew the $3.8 billion annual American military assistance package, which is up for renegotiation in 2028. Instead, he envisions a future in which Israel stands on its own militarily and economically, free of dependency. “It’s already in progress,” he confirmed.

This is the first time Israel’s leader has publicly committed to a timeline for tapering off military assistance from its strongest ally. While reaffirming his deep commitment to the U.S.-Israel alliance, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of Israeli self-reliance. “I want Israel to be as independent as possible,” he said, highlighting the importance of reducing aid in fighting the “propaganda war” being waged against the Jewish state.

For Netanyahu, independence is not just a matter of national pride it is a tool in Israel’s battle for legitimacy on the world stage. He described the onslaught of misinformation about Israel as fighting “with cavalry against F-35s,” referencing the flood of lies and distortions dominating social media.

He drew parallels between historic antisemitic blood libels and modern-day vilification of Israel, noting that the same false narratives that demonized Jews in Europe have now been redirected at the Jewish state. “The vilifications that were delivered on Jewish people are now delivered on to the Jewish state,” he warned.

Netanyahu argued that Israel is held to “an impossible standard” in international arenas, particularly in the context of the ongoing war against Hamas. He suggested that public opinion may shift once the intensity of fighting subsides, saying, “the ease with which propaganda takes over facts… may dissipate the minute the intense fighting stops.”

In the wide-ranging interview, Netanyahu also addressed Iran’s regime, noting its weakened status following the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes last June that targeted Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. The military blow, combined with domestic unrest and economic failure, has placed the Iranian regime under immense pressure.

“Revolutions are best done from within,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing that Israel has no intention of interfering with the protests sweeping Iran, but remains watchful. However, he made clear that any attack on Israel by Iran would bring “horrible consequences.”

As Israel looks toward the future, Netanyahu’s declaration signals a new chapter one in which the Jewish state is ready to reduce financial dependence while maintaining its unshakable bond with the American people. It’s a bold move rooted in confidence, strength, and a belief in the unique mission of the State of Israel.

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