Netanyahu Signals Israel May Phase Out U.S. Military Aid

In a major shift in Israel’s defense policy, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the country may begin reducing its reliance on U.S. military aid, amid a growing “relationship in crisis” between Washington and Israel. Decades earlier, the Rebbe had already called for Israel to wean itself off American military support.

By Anash.org writer

In a move that could reshape Israel’s defense policy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Sunday night that the country needs to start moving away from relying on U.S. military aid. The $4 billion annual package has been a central part of the U.S.-Israel relationship for decades.

“I think we will need to wean ourselves off American military aid,” Netanyahu said during a closed-door meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, according to Maariv.

The statement comes amid what Maariv called “a relationship in crisis” between Washington and Israel. Once considered one of the strongest U.S.-Israel alliances in history, the partnership has frayed as the Trump administration takes steps that have blindsided Israeli leadership.

These include direct talks with Hamas over hostage Edan Alexander, bypassing Israel, and the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthis that shields American forces but leaves Israeli concerns unaddressed. Trump is also set to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE – skipping Israel –  and is reportedly pressuring them to accept a terribly weak deal with Hamas. Adding to Israeli discomfort is a $400 million bribe that Trump is poised to accept from Qatar in the form of a luxury Boeing 747 dubbed a “palace in the sky.”

Some reports say Trump has even cut off direct contact with Netanyahu, accusing him of obstruction on key regional issues.

Decades before today’s leaders began voicing concerns, the Rebbe was already calling for Israel to wean itself off American military support. While Israel presents itself as a sovereign state, the Rebbe warned that its deep dependence on the United States, especially for weapons and strategic backing, left it functioning like a client state, compromising its long-term security.

At a farbrengen on Chanukah in 5730 (1970), the Rebbe said real independence means not relying on any one country, no matter how friendly. The Rebbe urged Israel to cultivate relationships with other nations that share its values, and to avoid becoming overly dependent on American support.

The Rebbe placed particular focus on military self-reliance. The Rebbe consistently urged Israel to strengthen its domestic defense industry and diversify its sources of weaponry. Relying solely on U.S. arms, he warned, would leave Israel vulnerable to political pressure, such as when American administrations condition aid on policy concessions or restrict how certain weapons can be used. A diversified defense posture, the Rebbe argued, would not only enhance Israel’s resilience but also strengthen its negotiating position with the United States.

One notable example was the Lavi fighter jet project of the 1980s – a cutting-edge Israeli aircraft that could have positioned Israel as a global defense innovator. Despite its technical success, the Lavi was scrapped under intense U.S. pressure, largely due to fears it would compete with American jets in the international market. The Rebbe saw this as a historic mistake: the project represented a real opportunity for Israel to free itself from dependence on foreign weaponry.

Now that Israel is beginning to publicly question its dependence on the U.S., the Rebbe’s message remains more relevant than ever. The only real way to secure Israel’s future is through self-reliance and a broad, independent strategy, not by leaning on any outside power. Until that goal is fully achieved, Israel must take a firm, principled stand on its security needs, regardless of US or other external pressure. An unshakable commitment is the only way to deter pressure and protect Israel’s security.