Netanyahu Seeks Shift from US Aid to Military Partnership

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his government's intention to gradually phase out, and eventually end, military aid from the United States, citing the strength of the Israeli economy. His office stated on Wednesday that Israel and the U.S. are moving towards a significant change in their relationship, transitioning from military assistance to a partnership, a move supported by Israel's economic stability. Netanyahu recalled a 1996 statement where he predicted Israel would cease receiving $1.3 billion in annual U.S. financial aid, a goal he claims to have achieved, and now aims to apply the same principle to military aid. He previously discussed this objective in a May interview with "60 Minutes," expressing a desire to reduce U.S. financial aid to zero. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Paris, indicated that the reduction in aid was a proposal initiated by Israelis themselves. Netanyahu's office views this new direction, coordinated with U.S. President Donald Trump, as a reflection of the strong and adaptable alliance between the two nations. Earlier reports from "Yedioth Ahronoth" suggested that U.S. military aid would not cease by year's end, contrary to a previous statement by Trump. Instead, the aid is expected to undergo a gradual five-year reduction, halving its current volume. Israel is reportedly seeking a new military aid agreement before the end of the year and the inauguration of the new Congress in January. Negotiations are ongoing between Israeli Foreign and Defense Ministry representatives, along with officials from the Israeli embassy in Washington, and their U.S. State Department counterparts. A senior Israeli official expressed surprise at Trump's announcement of aid cessation by year's end, suggesting it might be linked to U.S. domestic political considerations, possibly to support a Republican candidate in Michigan who lost to his Democratic rival, Abdulrahman Elsayed. The proposed plan, as detailed by the newspaper, involves reducing annual military aid from $3.3 billion, part of a ten-year agreement, to the same amount spread over five years, with the new agreement commencing after the current one expires in 2028. This would be accompanied by increased funding for air and missile defense systems like Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow, as well as financing for U.S.-made weapons, military equipment, fighter jets, helicopters, and ammunition.