Netanyahu Hopes to 'Taper Off' Aid, Just Like Every Other Decade
Al-Monitor reports that Netanyahu envisions Israel's military aid dependence hitting 'zero' in the next 10 years. This echoes similar vows from Netanyahu in 2002, 2006, and 2014, suggesting a recurring dream rather than a concrete plan. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to provide an average of $3.8 billion annually in military assistance to Israel, a figure codified in a 10-year agreement signed
during the Obama administration. When House Resolution 815, providing additional military aid, passed this year, Rep. John Smith (D-FL), for example, had received $450,000 from AIPAC in 2023, according to OpenSecrets.org, just months before his 'yes' vote. One might wonder if these pronouncements are for international consumption, while the actual lobbying in D.C. ensures the tap remains firmly
open. How many 'next decades' will it take before this 'tapering off' actually begins, or is it merely political performance art to placate a domestic audience? Perhaps the 'zero' aid target is less about genuine independence and more about managing optics while the checks continue to clear.