Netanyahu says US military aid to Israel will be phased out gradually

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to US President Donald Trump's announcement on military aid, stating the aid will be phased out gradually, not halted immediately. Netanyahu's office cited Israel's strong economy and a shift from aid to partnership.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarifies that American aid to Israel will be phased out, contrary to the statement by US President Donald Trump on an immediate halt. In an official announcement from the Prime Minister's Office, published ten days after Trump's declaration, it was stated that "Israel's economy is strong enough to gradually end military aid." The clarification comes following ynet's revelation that the security aid will not end immediately but will be halved and concluded within five years. The announcement noted that Netanyahu outlined this direction as early as May in an interview with CBS, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that this is a step Israel itself proposed. The article emphasizes the phrase "phase out gradually" as a lowering of expectations from a complete cessation.