‘It’s like welfare. I don’t want it’: Netanyahu pushes to end decades of US aid, says Israel can stand on its own

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel should begin phasing out American financial assistance, arguing that the country’s economy has grown strong enough to fund itself without external support.

Speaking on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he wanted the process to begin this year while also outlining his government’s position on key security and foreign policy issues, including Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and Palestinian statehood.

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“I want to stop American aid. It’s like welfare; I don’t want it,” Netanyahu said.

He argued that US assistance now accounts for only a small share of Israel’s economy.

“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 said.

Netanyahu reiterates opposition to Palestinian state

The Israeli Prime Minister also reaffirmed his government’s opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state.

“Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. No Palestinian state will be established here,” he said.

On Israel’s security doctrine, Netanyahu said the country would continue taking action against threats beyond its borders instead of relying solely on defensive measures.

“We will pursue an active security policy–we won’t sit back and wait behind fences,” he said.

Asked whether Israel planned to rebuild settlements in Gaza, Netanyahu declined to elaborate.

“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 also defended keeping some aspects of government policy undisclosed.

“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 said.

Israel signals continued military pressure on Iran and Lebanon

Netanyahu also issued a warning over Iran, saying Israel would continue acting against threats if required.

“We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary,” he said.

The Prime Minister further confirmed that Israeli forces would maintain their presence inside Lebanese territory.

“We didn’t leave Lebanon. We have effectively established this security belt–about 10 kilometres inside Lebanon–with the agreement of the Lebanese government. And, of course, Hezbollah is outraged. The same is true of Iran,” he said.

During a visit to troops deployed in northern Israel, Netanyahu said the military would remain in southern Lebanon until the threat from Hezbollah was removed.

“Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has disappeared. And as long as Hezbollah, armed, is here and threatening us, we will stay here,” he told soldiers.

The remarks came after the signing of a Washington-brokered framework agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv that aims to promote long-term stability and facilitate the demilitarisation of the Iran-backed Shiite militia.

According to the agreement, any future withdrawal of Israeli forces would depend on the Lebanese government establishing designated security zones where the Lebanese military assumes control.