Occupied Palestine (QNN)- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC over war crimes in Gaza, said he wants Israel to phase out US military aid within the next decade, arguing that the occupation state has reached a level of economy military maturity.
In an interview with the British weekly The Economist, published late Friday, Netanyahu said he expressed appreciation for US military support during his recent visit to US President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court over war crimes in Gaza, said Israel has developed exceptional military capabilities. He added that Israel’s economy could reach a value of $1 trillion within ten years, which he said would allow the occupation state to gradually reduce its reliance on American military assistance.
Israel’s arms industry has grown steadily since the state’s establishment in 1948. Despite this growth, Israel currently receives about $3.8 billion in US military aid each year to purchase American weapons under an agreement signed in 2016. The deal took effect in 2019 and runs through 2028.
According to official Israeli media, this annual aid accounts for roughly 15 percent of Israel’s defense budget.
In addition to regular funding, Israel has received emergency US military assistance, particularly for air defense systems such as the Iron Dome.
In 2021, the US State Department said Washington had provided Israel with more than $125 billion in military assistance since its founding as part of bilateral security cooperation.
In mid-May 2025, amid signs of strained relations between Netanyahu and Trump, the Israeli prime minister hinted that Israel should gradually move away from US military aid, without offering further details at the time.
