Netanyahu wants to dispense with US military aid within ten years, after Israel has reached maturity and developed exceptional capabilities

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his desire, in an interview with The Economist weekly magazine, for Israel to dispense with US military aid within ten years.

He said, “During my recent visit to President Trump, I emphasized our deep appreciation for the military assistance that the United States has provided us over the years”.

He added, “But we have also reached a stage of maturity… We’ve developed exceptional capabilities, and our economy will soon, within a decade, reach $1 trillion”.

He continued, “Therefore, I would like to gradually reduce military aid in the coming years”.

Israel’s defense industry, which has been in a state of near-constant war since its founding in 1948, has seen steady growth for years.

However, Israel receives about $3.8 billion annually in financial aid from the United States to purchase weapons from it, under an agreement signed in 2016, which came into effect in 2019 and continues until 2028.

This amount represents about 15% of Israel’s defense budget, according to official media.

In addition, Israel received emergency US military aid, particularly for its air defense systems, including the Iron Dome system.

In 2021, the US State Department reported that Washington had given Israel more than $125 billion since its founding as part of bilateral military aid.

In mid-May, as relations between Netanyahu and Trump appeared strained, the Israeli prime minister hinted that Israel should gradually give up US military aid, without giving further details.

Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be tried on corruption charges.

He denies involvement in any of them and describes them as part of a political conspiracy targeting him.

Netanyahu confirmed his intention to run for another term in the next elections, which will be held no later than late October 2026.