In an interview with the British weekly The Economist, the Israeli prime minister stated his intention to gradually reduce American military aid in the coming years.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes his country will be able to do without American military aid within ten years, in an interview with the British weekly The Economist published Friday evening. "During my recent visit with (US) President Trump, I said that we deeply appreciate the military assistance the United States has provided us over the years," he explained.

“But we too have reached maturity. We have developed extraordinary capabilities, and our economy will soon reach $1 trillion within a decade,” he added. “Therefore, I intend to gradually reduce military aid in the coming years.” Israel’s defense industry, in a state of near-constant warfare since its inception in 1948, has enjoyed sustained growth for years.

Israel receives approximately $3.8 billion in annual financial aid from the United States for arms purchases under an agreement signed in 2016, which took effect in 2019 and is valid until 2028. This represents about 15% of Israel's defense budget, according to national media. In addition, Israel has received emergency military aid, particularly for its air defense systems, including the Iron Dome.

"Weaning ourselves off" American military aid

In 2021, the State Department reported that over $125 billion had been disbursed since Israel's founding in 1948 as part of bilateral military assistance. In mid-May, when relations between Mr. Netanyahu and Trump appeared strained, the Israeli prime minister had already suggested that Israel would eventually have to "wean itself off" American military aid, without providing further explanation.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to be prosecuted while in office, has always proclaimed his innocence and indicated that he would seek his own succession in 2026, in legislative elections whose date has not been announced.