Steve Kramer: Israel decides to reduce military aid from America
Israel is diminishing its reliance on American military support, a win-win for both parties. Here are not untypical thoughts from a reader of the Washington Post (6/9/26) commenting on US military aid to Israel: “Israel has become an imperialist racist state at war with most of its neighbors almost all the time!… It is absolutely wrong for the USA to continue to support this militaristic state that constantly drags us into its misadventures and wars in the Middle East!
Why would Israel request a reduction in US aid, which is used to purchase defensive and offensive weapons? There are several reasons, but the most important is for Israel to retain its ability to protect itself without being overly dependent on other countries. Also important is the bad will engendered in people like the above letter writer, who has been brainwashed by mass/social media. At the same time, the US desires to reduce foreign aid to scores (!) of countries, to further its policy of “America First”.
What has the US gained from being Israel’s major supplier of military equipment?
- The $3.8 billion that Israel receives each year must be spent in the US, benefitting American workers and defense companies.
- Israel’s military tactics follow America’s lead, avoiding conflicts.
- Access to Israel intelligence – IDF/Mossad.
- Access to IDF and IAF (Israel Air Force) improvements to Israeli battle-tested armaments and platforms. See Note below.
How would Israel gain if it reduced its US arms purchases?
A. Israel would not be so dependent on one major source.
B. Israel would be much freer to follow its own strategies.
C. Israeli defense industries would employ many more skilled workers and produce much more, including more sales to international customers.
D. Israel would be able to sell its weapons to a wider range of countries than currently.
E. Israeli defense industries’ ranking, already #8 globally, would rise.
F. If an American president turned away from Israel, domestic weapons manufacturers would replace many of the US weapons it currently needs.
Financial aid, a necessity when Israel was a young nation, was phased out as Israel became relatively wealthy. For example, in 2022, only $8.8 million [.3%] of US annual aid to Israel was non-military, while 99.7% of the aid went to the Israeli military to be spent in the US for American military equipment. For the record, Ukraine is currently the largest recipient of US military aid and dozens of countries receive lesser amounts of aid.
Over the last decade, many Israeli military experts have suggested a reduction in military aid from the US. So do many ordinary Israelis. Prime Minister Netanyahu has recognized the need for Israel to invest more heavily in its own military industries, which are among the world’s most advanced. Israel currently sells $2.4 billion in armaments on the global market, making it the 8th highest arms producer. Its potential sales would be much higher if domestic manufacturers were massively enlarged, which would be necessary to replace US purchases.
Regarding the reduction in aid to purchase US defense products, Prime Minister Netanyahu recently said on the May 10, 2026, ‘60 Minutes’ show: “Let’s start now and do it over the next decade, over the next 10 years, but I want to start now. I don’t want to wait for the next Congress.” His thinking is right for Israel and right for the US. On June 3, 2026, pro-Israel House Republican Marlin Stutzman introduced a resolution calling on the United States to end the $3.8 billion in annual military aid it provides to Israel, replacing it with a “partnership” in which Israel buys American weapons with its own funds. A partnership, not a dependency on the US.
Israel must not rely too much on one country to supply its weapons and systems. So, Israel’s leaders are taking out an “insurance policy” by planning to spend mostly its own funds to enlarge its very proficient, burgeoning military manufacturing sector. At the same time, this will reduce the leverage that a big supplier might use against us, such as last year, when President Biden held back needed 1,000 lb bombs during a war against Iran. The close connection between Israel and America will be maintained, but Israel’s hands must not be tied. Israel will strengthen itself in in pursuit of its own goals by being more independent.
As Israel pundit Yoram Ettinger points out, Israel is a force multiplier, not a free rider. It possesses tremendous military, intelligence, and technological strengths of its own. Little wonder that Trump’s administration has labeled Israel a “model ally,” an example to which other countries that seek US support — not just in the Middle East, but globally — should aspire to. (https://www.biznews.com/
Note: During my first job in Israel, I worked at a company supplying ‘hardened’ computers and other equipment to Israeli defense organizations. At first, I was surprised by the many improvements our customers suggested to be passed on to the foreign manufacturers, who at first were taken aback. Soon, I realized the tremendous value the suppliers received from the Israeli defense establishments, which were testing or using the materiel in wartime. This value-added feature for the manufacturers was a result of the Jewish propensity to never be fully satisfied.
