Rubio sent a message to Israel: It's time to wean off American aid

An opinion piece in Maariv analyzes Marco Rubio's message to Israel regarding the need to wean off American security aid. The author argues that dependence on aid carries a strategic price and calls for strengthening security independence while maintaining equal cooperation with the US.

Freddy Eitan's opinion piece in Maariv discusses the message Marco Rubio conveyed to Israel, that it is time to wean off American security aid. The author notes that the US has committed to annual aid of about $3.8 billion until 2028, but argues that dependence on it carries a strategic price. According to him, the problem is not when aid is cut off, but when Israel becomes accustomed to the fact that arms supplies depend on White House decisions. He calls for formulating a long-term plan to strengthen security independence, expand local production, and ensure strategic stockpiles, while maintaining intelligence, research, and military cooperation with the US as equal partners. The article emphasizes that Israel cannot plan its security based on the identity of the American president, and that responsibility for its security must be in its own hands.