Israel plans to completely withdraw from US financial support
This is according to CBS News.
Rejection of US aid
In an interview with CBS News, Netanyahu stated that he had personally told Trump: Israel must “wean itself off” residual US military financial support. According to him, the process should begin immediately and be completed within ten years.
“I want to reduce the American financial component of our military cooperation to zero,” said the prime minister, adding that his words left his audience speechless.
The move is a somewhat calculated one, given that 60% of Americans, according to Pew, hold an unfavourable view of Israel – a rise of almost 20 points over four years.
The war with Iran is not over
Netanyahu stated bluntly: the war continues as long as Iran retains enriched uranium, enrichment facilities remain operational, proxy groups are active, and ballistic missiles are stockpiled.
When asked how to remove the nuclear materials, he replied succinctly: “You go in and take it.” He refused to disclose any details regarding the possible use of force.
Lebanon and Hezbollah
Netanyahu made it clear: even if an agreement is reached with Iran, military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon may continue separately. Iran wants to link the two theatres of war, but Israel will not agree to this.
At the same time, the prime minister expressed hope that if the Iranian regime falls, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis will collapse along with it.
New alliances in the region
Netanyahu stated that he sees an opportunity to expand alliances with Arab states – “to a level we had not even dreamed of before”. According to him, some Arab countries are already approaching Israel with proposals to strengthen the alliance – particularly in the fields of energy, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
China and Iran
Netanyahu confirmed that China had supplied Iran with components for missile production, and did not rule out that this is still happening. He declined to comment further.
On 14–15 May, talks between Israel and Lebanon are due to take place in Lebanon, mediated by the US. The parties plan to work out a comprehensive peace agreement.
However, the ceasefire agreements between Israel and the Hezbollah group proved fragile. The parties continued shelling, and Israel used the new Ro’em artillery system (a new-generation self-propelled howitzer) against Hezbollah for the first time.
The ceasefire, brokered by the US on 16 April, provided for a 10-day truce. The Lebanese Prime Minister welcomed this initiative. The Israeli Prime Minister, for his part, stated that the IDF would remain in strategic positions for the duration of the ceasefire.
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