Netanyahu signals shift away from American defence support

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country should gradually end its dependence on American military aid, marking what analysts describe as a major shift in the long-standing defence relationship between Israel and the United States.

Netanyahu disclosed in a recent interview with CBS programme 60 Minutes that he wants Israel to begin reducing the financial component of US military support immediately, with the aim of phasing it out over the next decade.

“I want to draw down to zero the American financial support,” Netanyahu said, noting that Israel currently receives about $3.8 billion annually under a military assistance agreement with Washington.

The existing 10-year agreement, signed in 2016, provides Israel with $38 billion in military assistance through 2028, including funding for weapons procurement and missile defence systems.

Netanyahu said Israel had “come of age” militarily and should move towards greater strategic independence while maintaining strong ties with Washington.