Netanyahu Responds to Trump's Decision: We Used Weapons in Defense of America

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on US President Donald Trump's decision to halt military aid, said his country "used weapons to confront America's Western enemies."

According to a statement issued by Netanyahu's office today, Friday, the Israeli Prime Minister noted that military aid had enjoyed bipartisan consensus between the Republican and Democratic parties for years, and that Israel employed it to defend itself and counter threats targeting the United States and Western allies.

Netanyahu indicated that he and Trump are moving toward transforming this aid from direct grants into a strategic partnership, reflecting the strength of relations between the two countries and their ability to adapt and evolve over time, given Israel's strong and stable economy which allows it greater self-reliance.

Trump announced this week, in an interview with Fox News, that military aid to Israel would end by the close of this year, stating that Tel Aviv no longer needs it and is capable of purchasing weapons from the United States with its own funding.

Trump noted that Netanyahu discussed the idea of ending aid with him, and that the issue has become subject to political criticism within the United States.

Netanyahu had spoken in previous months about his desire to gradually reduce reliance on American aid, reaching zero within approximately a decade, arguing that the time has come to transition from a "recipient" relationship to a true "partner."

The annual funding under the current agreement amounts to $3.8 billion, including $3.3 billion for military procurement and $500 million for missile defense programs, while the agreement expires in September 2028.

The announcement coincided with the US midterm elections, amid declining bipartisan consensus on aid to Tel Aviv and rising criticism within the Democratic Party regarding the war in Gaza and the continued supply of American weapons to the Israeli army.