Netanyahu Reveals to Trump Israel's Plans to Distance from US - Assessment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a conversation with US President Donald Trump, presented the intention to gradually phase out American military aid over ten years, and to initiate negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding. Netanyahu instructed the defense industry to develop its own fighter jet. Trump and his team expressed Republican concerns about insufficient support for Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a conversation with US President Donald Trump, revealed plans for Israel's gradual withdrawal from American military aid over the next ten years. According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu intends to initiate negotiations on a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) and personally lead the process. He believes that bipartisan support for military aid in the US Congress is no longer as stable. Trump and his team expressed concerns that some Republicans may fear accusations of insufficient support for Israel. In response, Netanyahu stated his readiness to discuss shorter timelines for ending aid. The premier also instructed the defense industry to develop a modern domestically produced fighter jet within ten years to reduce dependence on F-35 deliveries. The proposed MoU project provides for $16 billion in direct military aid, $5 to $10 billion for missile defense systems, and the creation of a joint US-Israel fund of $16 billion for research and development.