Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS’s 60 Minutes that Israel intends to end U.S. financial support for its military within the next decade. The declaration marks a shift in a relationship that has made Israel the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid since World War II, with Washington providing more than $300 billion in economic and military assistance since 1948.
During the interview, Netanyahu said he wants to “draw down to zero the American financial component of the military cooperation that we have,” adding that the process should begin immediately and be completed over ten years. He recalled having raised the idea with former President Donald Trump and with the Israeli public, noting the “jaws‑dropping” reaction it provoked.
The United States currently supplies roughly 16 percent of Israel’s defence budget. A 2016 ten‑year memorandum of understanding pledged $38 billion in military aid through 2028, including $5 billion earmarked for the Iron Dome missile‑defence system. Netanyahu’s proposal would therefore require a major re‑structuring of that arrangement.
The push to lessen dependence on Washington comes as American public opinion toward Israel has soured. A recent Pew Research Center poll showed that six in ten U.S. adults now hold a “somewhat” or “very” unfavorable view of Israel – a rise of seven points from the previous year and nearly 20 points since 2022. Netanyahu attributed the shift largely to “media manipulation” and “propaganda” on social platforms, alleging that foreign actors operate bot farms to erode American sympathy for Israel.
The backdrop to these statements is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, sparked by the October 7 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in more than 71,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, while strikes in Lebanon and Iran have also produced civilian casualties. The humanitarian toll has fueled criticism from U.S. commentators and politicians. In March, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced three resolutions aimed at blocking roughly $660 million in arms sales to Israel, citing that three‑quarters of Democrats and two‑thirds of independents oppose further weapons shipments.
Netanyahu’s remarks signal a strategic pivot for Jerusalem, seeking greater financial autonomy while confronting a deteriorating image abroad. How Washington will respond, and whether the proposed timeline can be met without compromising Israel’s security posture, remain open questions. The development underscores an evolving dynamic in U.S.–Israeli relations that could reshape defence financing and diplomatic engagement in the years ahead.
