Netanyahu Signals Plan to End Reliance on U.S. Military Aid Within 10 Years

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel aims to gradually eliminate its dependence on U.S. military assistance over the next decade while expanding strategic partnerships with Gulf nations. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” Netanyahu revealed that he wants to reduce American military funding to zero and begin reshaping the long-standing financial relationship between the two allies immediately.

Israel currently receives around $3.8 billion annually in U.S. military aid under a $38 billion agreement covering the years 2018 through 2028. Netanyahu stated that although military cooperation between the United States and Israel remains strong, the financial aspect should eventually end. He emphasized that the transition should start now rather than waiting for future political changes in Washington.

The comments come at a time when support for Israel in the United States has weakened following the Gaza war that began in October 2023. According to a Pew Research survey conducted in March, 60% of Americans now hold an unfavorable opinion of Israel, while 59% expressed little or no confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership on global issues. Both figures increased notably compared to the previous year.

Netanyahu blamed the decline in public support largely on the influence of social media, claiming several unnamed countries manipulated online platforms in ways that damaged Israel’s image internationally. Despite his criticism, he said he does not support censorship.

The Israeli leader also discussed the ongoing conflict involving Iran and acknowledged that Israeli officials initially underestimated Iran’s ability to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption contributed to rising global oil prices and increased inflation concerns in the United States.

Netanyahu added that weakening Iran’s leadership could potentially dismantle regional groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, which he described as part of Iran’s broader proxy network in the Middle East.