It Turns Out Israelis Don’t Want US Aid Either

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The Lie

U.S. military aid to Israel serves Israel’s agenda at America’s expense.

The Truth

U.S. military aid is used as leverage to influence Israeli policy, often at the expense of Israel’s independence. This has prompted Israeli leaders and supporters—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—to call for sunsetting the aid.

Background

The United States provides $3.8 billion annually in military financing to Israel under a Memorandum of Understanding. The most recent aid MOU expires in 2028. (White House)
A growing chorus in the conservative movement is calling for an end to U.S. aid to Israel, claiming that it advances Israel’s interests but not America’s.

Truth Explained:

The United States has historically used military aid to Israel as leverage to force security concessions in US-brokered peace negotiations. (Congressional Research Service)
Significant US military aid to Israel began in the 1970s, during President Jimmy Carter’s efforts to broker peace between Israel and Egypt. (Congressional Research Service)
In 1976, after signing the Sinai II Accord with Egypt, Israel became the largest annual recipient of US military aid. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), (Congressional Research Service)
In 1979, the Carter administration quadrupled Israeli military aid to $4 billion in exchange for Israel surrendering the Sinai Peninsula, a major security buffer. (Congressional Research Service)
In 1999, President Clinton increased aid to Israel in exchange for concessions to Yasser Arafat in the Wye River Agreement. (Congressional Research Service)
In 2007, President George W. Bush renewed the MOU with Israel ahead of the Annapolis peace conference, where Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signed an agreement with the Palestinian Authority. (Haaretz), (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
In 2016, President Obama renewed the MOU ahead of the Iran nuclear deal, despite concerns that it compromised Israel’s security. (INSS), (Foundation for Defense of Democracies), (CRS)
The U.S. government has repeatedly leveraged aid to pressure Israel into freezing Jewish settlement construction. (Congressional Research Service)
In November 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a report of seeking a 20-year aid agreement, instead emphasizing Israeli independence: “My direction is the exact opposite. … I think it’s time to ensure that Israel is independent.” (Times of Israel)
Netanyahu is reportedly discussing with President Trump the possibility of replacing the military aid agreement with joint military research and development programs. (X)
More pro-Israel voices, including Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, Laura Loomer, and Josh Hammer, advocate ending military aid to allow Israel greater independence. (Israel365), (X), (X)
Even some anti-Israel commentators like Nick Fuentes now worry that ending U.S. aid could give Israel greater freedom to pursue its territorial or regional ambitions. (X)

Quotes:

“It’s really not in Israel’s best interest to continue with this aid. We’ve seen how it affects Israel’s strategic decision-making.” — Rabbi Pesach Wolicki
“I want Israel to be our vassal.” — Nick Fuentes
“Cut the US aid, and Israel becomes fully sovereign … We lose the leverage to urge restraint on bombing Iran or eradicating Hamas. We lose the ability to tell Israel to not enter GAZA. We lose the ability to tell Israel not to neutralize Hezbollah.” — Laura Loomer

Takeaway:

U.S. military aid to Israel is not a gift that serves Israeli interests at America’s expense. Historically, it has functioned as leverage—used by Washington to shape Israeli security decisions, extract concessions, and advance U.S. diplomatic objectives. That leverage comes at a cost to Israel’s sovereignty, which is why a growing number of Israel’s own supporters, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now argue that Israel would be stronger—and freer—without the aid.

Fact Sheet