Israel wants to reduce US dependence, 10-year agreement coming

Israel is preparing a draft for a new 10-year security agreement with the United States. The Middle East occupying country wants to reduce the amount of American military aid. They will present a proposal very soon for this purpose.

Gil Pinchas, who has stepped down as the chief economic advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Defense, made this claim in an interview with the Financial Times on Tuesday (January 27).

He said that discussions on the proposal could begin in the next few weeks. The main topic of those discussions will be the importance of joint military and defense projects rather than cash donations.

Pinchas said that this agreement is more important than just financial calculations, but the overall partnership. There are many things here that are worth the same money. The issue needs to be looked at more broadly. The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

However, Pinchas said that Israel currently receives $3.3 billion in direct financial assistance from the United States every year. Through which it buys American weapons. Israel wants to gradually reduce it.

In 2016, the United States and the Israeli governments signed a memorandum of understanding for 10 years until September 2028. Under the agreement, a total of $38 billion in military assistance is to be provided. Of this, $33 billion is allocated for the purchase of military equipment and $5 billion is allocated for missile defense systems.

Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that reliance on US military assistance will be gradually reduced over the next decade. At the same time, Israel also aims to further strengthen joint military and defense cooperation with the United States.