TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled an intention to gradually scale back military and security assistance from the United States.
The move comes as tensions with President Donald Trump's administration continue to rise, according to reports from local media on Monday, May 12, 2025.
"I think we will need to wean ourselves off American military aid," Netanyahu told members of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during a meeting on Sunday night, as reported by Israeli daily Maariv and cited by Anadolu.
Netanyahu noted that Israel receives approximately US$4 billion—or around Rp66 trillion—each year from Washington for weapons purchases.
He added that the country might follow the precedent set when it ended its reliance on American economic aid in the past.
Netanyahu offered no further clarification on the reasons behind his unexpected remarks, which come amid growing strains with Trump.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Trump has severed direct communication with Netanyahu, allegedly after being advised that the Israeli leader was attempting to manipulate him.
Israeli media point to several factors fueling the rift, including diverging positions on Iran, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the ongoing war in Gaza, and the stalled ceasefire talks in the region.
Once closely aligned on regional issues such as Iran and Gaza, Trump and Netanyahu now hold markedly different views. Their split has widened in the lead-up to Trump’s upcoming regional tour from Tuesday, May 13, to Thursday, May 15, 2025—which notably excludes Israel.
While Netanyahu continues to push for military pressure, including strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Trump is shifting toward diplomacy, urging direct engagement with Tehran and supporting a resolution to the Gaza conflict.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, as quoted by Anadolu, Trump and his aides are "fed up" with Netanyahu’s unwillingness to adapt to Washington’s evolving approach in the region.
In the early months of his term, Trump had backed Israeli military actions in Gaza, lifted restrictions on weapons shipments imposed during the Biden administration, and labeled the Houthi movement a terrorist group. He even advocated for Gaza to be "taken over" and developed into a tourism destination.
Recently, however, Trump’s stance has shifted. He suspended military operations against Iran-backed Houthis and opened direct talks with Tehran.
A U.S. official told NBC News that Israeli officials are uneasy about any potential deal with Iran.
Netanyahu reportedly expressed frustration over Trump’s reluctance to ban uranium enrichment as part of a nuclear agreement. His aides relayed their concerns to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who later criticized Israel's recent military actions in Gaza and called for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange instead.
The Netanyahu administration maintains that Washington should reject any outcome short of a complete halt to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Israeli officials worry that renewed negotiations could undermine what they perceive as a strategic advantage following Israeli airstrikes last October that reportedly damaged Iran's air defenses.
Trump’s upcoming Middle East trip includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, but excludes Israel. The absence from his itinerary and widening policy divides highlight the cooling relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, once close allies.
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