Netanyahu’s aid phaseout pitch reflects fears of weakening US support for Israel

Published May 12, 2026 7:00am ET



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing Israel for a future in which U.S. military aid is no longer politically untouchable in Washington, signaling the country may eventually shift toward a more transactional weapons-purchase relationship with the United States.

In a 60 Minutes interview that aired Sunday, Netanyahu said he hopes to draw down American military assistance to zero over the next decade, arguing Israel should transition “from aid to partnership.” 

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