In an interview with The Economist published on January 9, the prime minister stated that he is interested in ending US aid to Israel within a decade. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Israel, US aid amounts to about $3.8 billion per year during 2019–2028, not including the additional aid Israel received from the United States for the war in Gaza.
The idea of ending US aid to Israel appeared prior to this interview in policy papers by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which has significant influence in shaping the policy of the second Trump administration. This position reflects an isolationist approach gaining traction within the Republican Party and the MAGA movement, which argue that the United States should invest its money domestically and reduce its aid to foreign countries.
Israeli willingness to wean itself off this aid is therefore likely to be viewed positively by the isolationist camp, parts of which have begun distancing themselves from the State of Israel. Through this step, Israel could signal to that camp that it is a strong ally, capable of taking care of itself, and not “dragging” the United States into commitments that this camp sees as unnecessary.
In fact, the Israeli model could become the prototype for what the Trump administration may expect from other partners as well, including NATO countries, Taiwan, Korea, and others. At the same time, however, the other side of the political map may also be satisfied with Netanyahu’s recent statement.
For years, the American liberal-progressive camp have claimed that the United States funds Israel excessively and has the right to demand policy changes from Israel, even if these do not align with Israeli interests and positions. Stopping the aid would weaken that argument and reduce the justification for intervening in Israel’s decision-making, but this does not mean that it would end criticism of Israel within this political camp.
In an interview with The Economist published on January 9, the prime minister stated that he is interested in ending US aid to Israel within a decade. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Israel, US aid amounts to about $3.8 billion per year during 2019–2028, not including the additional aid Israel received from the United States for the war in Gaza.
The idea of ending US aid to Israel appeared prior to this interview in policy papers by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which has significant influence in shaping the policy of the second Trump administration. This position reflects an isolationist approach gaining traction within the Republican Party and the MAGA movement, which argue that the United States should invest its money domestically and reduce its aid to foreign countries.
Israeli willingness to wean itself off this aid is therefore likely to be viewed positively by the isolationist camp, parts of which have begun distancing themselves from the State of Israel. Through this step, Israel could signal to that camp that it is a strong ally, capable of taking care of itself, and not “dragging” the United States into commitments that this camp sees as unnecessary.
In fact, the Israeli model could become the prototype for what the Trump administration may expect from other partners as well, including NATO countries, Taiwan, Korea, and others. At the same time, however, the other side of the political map may also be satisfied with Netanyahu’s recent statement.
For years, the American liberal-progressive camp have claimed that the United States funds Israel excessively and has the right to demand policy changes from Israel, even if these do not align with Israeli interests and positions. Stopping the aid would weaken that argument and reduce the justification for intervening in Israel’s decision-making, but this does not mean that it would end criticism of Israel within this political camp.