Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel should begin ending its dependence on American assistance, describing U.S. support as “welfare” and insisting that his country now possesses the economic strength to finance its own security and military operations.
Netanyahu made the remarks on Tuesday while outlining his government’s position on national security, the Palestinian question, relations with Washington, and Israel’s military strategy across the Middle East.
In comments that have reignited debate over the future of the decades-long alliance between Israel and the United States, the Israeli leader said he wanted the process of ending American aid to commence immediately.
“I want to stop American aid. It’s like welfare; I don’t want it,” Netanyahu said in a video cited by SaharaReporters.
He argued that Israel’s economic transformation has rendered continued financial dependence on Washington increasingly unnecessary.
“Our economy is no longer a small economy. We can finance ourselves with this fraction of a per cent of our GDP that we receive from the United States. I want this process to start this year,” he stated.
Netanyahu also delivered one of his strongest rejections yet of Palestinian statehood, maintaining that his government would not permit the establishment of an independent Palestinian nation alongside Israel.
“Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. No Palestinian state will be established here,” he declared.
The statement reinforces his administration’s long-standing opposition to the two-state solution and is expected to provoke renewed international criticism amid ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On national security, Netanyahu defended an aggressive military doctrine, insisting that Israel would continue to neutralise threats before they materialise rather than waiting to respond after attacks have occurred.
“We will pursue an active security policy; we won’t sit back and wait behind fences,” he said.
Addressing speculation about the possible return of Israeli settlements to the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister refused to disclose any concrete plans, arguing that strategic decisions of such magnitude require caution and secrecy.
“As for rebuilding settlements in Gaza, you have to be ready to act first and talk afterwards. Sometimes it’s better to separate the two. That’s why I’m not going to add anything further on that subject,” he said.
He defended his reluctance to publicly reveal sensitive government intentions, insisting that effective leadership often demands discretion rather than constant public declarations.
“You have to understand that the art of statecraft isn’t limited to domestic politics. I don’t have to declare everything to the whole world at every moment,” Netanyahu stated.
The Israeli leader also issued a fresh warning to Iran, signalling that his government remains prepared to launch additional military operations if it perceives any existential threat to the country.
“We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary,” he warned.
The remarks are likely to heighten tensions across an already volatile Middle East, underscoring Israel’s willingness to act unilaterally against regional adversaries while simultaneously redefining the parameters of its strategic partnership with the United States.