Jerusalem:The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the suspension of US military aid to Israel will be gradual, contrary to recent statements by US President Donald Trump. This clarification comes ten days after Trump's announcement of the cessation of US aid to Israel.
According to Maan News Agency, Netanyahu's office issued a statement highlighting that, historically, Israel had committed to gradually stopping US financial aid, as stated by Netanyahu in 1996. The statement emphasized that Israel's strong economy allows for a gradual cessation of US military aid, marking a shift from aid to partnership with the United States.
The report noted the importance of the term "gradual cessation" in Netanyahu's statement, suggesting an effort to moderate American expectations about an immediate halt to aid. It was reported that US security aid will be halved and phased out over five years rather than stopping abruptly.
Netanyahu previously outlined this approach in an interview on CBS's "60 Minutes," expressing his intention to gradually reduce American financial aid to zero. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed these intentions, reflecting the strength of the alliance between the two nations.
Trump's abrupt announcement of halting security aid took the Israeli Ministry of Finance, the army, and the Ministry of Security by surprise. Negotiations for a new agreement are underway, involving representatives from both countries.
The United States currently provides $3.8 billion annually in aid to Israel, with $3.3 billion allocated for military purchases from American companies, and $500 million for missile defense cooperation. The report indicates potential increases in missile defense funding in response to evolving threats.