Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel aims to eventually end its reliance on U.S. financial military support within the next decade. The decision signals a long-term shift in the country’s defence policy as it seeks to deepen ties with Gulf states.
In an interview aired on CBS News’ "60 Minutes”, Benjamin Netanyahu said he wants to “draw down to zero” the American financial component of military cooperation, adding that it is “absolutely” the right time to reset the relationship.
"I don't want to wait for the next Congress," he said.
“I want to start now,” Netanyahu said, noting that Israel receives around $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid under a $38 billion package covering the 2018-2028 period.
Netanyahu’s comments come amid a broader decline in U.S. public approval of Israel.
Sixty percent of U.S. adults have an unfavourable view of Israel, and 59% had little or no confidence in Netanyahu to do the right thing regarding world affairs, according to a Pew survey conducted in March. Both percentages were up seven percentage points from a year earlier.
He linked the shift in sentiment partly to social media dynamics, saying online platforms had “correlates almost 100% with the geometric rise of social media” in changing perceptions of Israel, and alleged that some countries had manipulated information flows.
However, he said he does not support censorship.
Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which escalated into war on 28 February when Israel and the United States launched military action against Tehran.
He said the conflict had revealed previously underestimated risks, including Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.
A significant share of global oil flows through the strait, and disruptions have contributed to volatility in energy markets since the war began.
Netanyahu declined to provide details on Israel’s military planning in Iran but suggested that weakening Tehran’s leadership could have far-reaching consequences for its regional allies.
“If this regime is indeed weakened or possibly toppled, I think it’s the end of Hezbollah, it’s the end of Hamas, it’s probably the end of the Houthis,” he said, referring to Iran-aligned armed groups across the Middle East.
He added that while regime change in Iran is possible, it is not guaranteed.
Türkiye could become an increasingly important outlet for Iraqi crude as Baghdad develops new export routes to reduce its reliance on the Stra...
Operations at several energy facilities in Saudi Arabia were suspended on Tuesday after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces injured more than 70 ...
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at leas...
At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, 6 September, local officials said.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Operations at several energy facilities in Saudi Arabia were suspended on Tuesday after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces injured more than 70 people and sparked fires, Saudi authorities said.
Israel said on Tuesday it was closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem after the UK, France and Canada announced plans to restrict imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
France will move to restrict imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, joining 11 other countries backing or considering similar measures, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday a €200 million ($232 million) deal with Greenland, called the Global Gateway Partnership Package, aimed at strengthening the EU-Greenland partnership, amid growing U.S. interest in the Arctic island.
Britain is set to ban trade in goods and some services from Israeli settlements in the West Bank as the government steps up efforts to protect the prospects of a two-state solution.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment