Israel weighs new alternatives to US military funding

Under the current agreement, nearly all of the roughly $3.8 billion transferred each year must be used to purchase American-made defense systems.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel may find an alternative to the long-standing model of American security assistance, Israeli officials told Israel HaYom.

The issue of revising the policy, which has been in place since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, was introduced on Thursday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested the country is preparing to move toward greater self-reliance. “The direction is much greater independence. I expect to have something to say about this soon,” he said.

For over 50 years, Washington has provided Israel with annual defense support worth several billion dollars. While the early arrangements allowed Israel broad discretion in how to spend the money, the structure has shifted over the years. Under the current agreement, nearly all of the roughly $3.8 billion transferred each year must be used to purchase American-made defense systems.

Officials familiar with internal deliberations say Israel’s growing economic strength, advances in its defense industries, and changing global military needs have prompted debate over whether the existing model remains beneficial to both countries. A source told Israel Hayom that the defense establishment and diplomatic officials are reviewing alternatives as the 2028 expiration of the current package approaches.

American officials have also begun asking Israel to clarify its preferences. Israel’s ambassador in Washington, Yehiel Leiter, has fielded questions from US administration officials and lawmakers supportive of Israel, eager to know whether Jerusalem wants the agreement renewed in its current form or replaced with a new arrangement.

Although it is not yet clear what direction Israel will take, a source involved in the discussions described a willingness to “think outside the box” regarding both duration and content of any future deal.