In a position that may seem counterintuitive, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his nation should begin phasing out American military aid “now” and reduce it to zero over the next decade.
In his first U.S. broadcast interview since the war with Iran began, Netanyahu told CBS News’ Major Garrett that Israel should “wean” itself from the $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military support it receives.
“I want to draw down to zero the American financial support, the financial component of the military cooperation that we have,” Netanyahu said. “I think that it’s time that we weaned ourselves from the remaining military support.”
Asked for a timetable, Netanyahu said he wanted the process to begin immediately and unfold over 10 years. “I don’t want to wait for the next Congress,” he said. “I want to start now.”
The comments come as American attitudes toward Israel have shifted sharply. A recent Pew survey found 60% of U.S. adults hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up nearly 20 points in four years. Much of that erosion has followed the war in Gaza, where the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says more than 70,000 people have been killed, including civilians and Hamas fighters.
Netanyahu blamed much of Israel’s reputational damage on social media, which he called an “eighth front” in the war. Holding up Garrett’s phone, Netanyahu warned that false narratives could be pushed repeatedly until people believe them.
“You can penetrate this little instrument,” Netanyahu said. “And you can say about Major Garrett anything you want. And I can paint you as a monster.”
Pressed on whether Israel’s own battlefield decisions had contributed to negative perceptions, Netanyahu acknowledged mistakes but denied deliberate targeting of civilians.
“It’s war,” he said. “And in war, armies sometimes miss and civilians die.”
The interview came as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was tested again Sunday by suspected Iranian drone strikes in the Persian Gulf, further straining White House efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize energy markets. The conflict, now in its 11th week, has spread from the Gulf to Lebanon and drawn in Iranian-backed groups across the region.
Netanyahu said the war with Iran had achieved “a great deal” but was not finished. He said Iran still had enriched uranium, enrichment sites, proxies and ballistic missile ambitions that must be addressed.
Asked how highly enriched uranium could be removed from Iran, Netanyahu said, “You go in, and you take it out.” He said an agreement allowing removal would be the “best way,” but declined to discuss whether force could be used if no deal is reached.
On Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel would not accept a ceasefire arrangement that leaves Hezbollah in place. He argued the Iran and Hezbollah fronts “should be” treated separately, even if Tehran seeks to link them.
“If this regime is indeed weakened or possibly toppled, I think it’s the end of Hezbollah, it’s the end of Hamas, it’s probably the end of the Houthis,” Netanyahu said.
He also pushed back on a New York Times report that he had presented President Trump with a confident case for Iranian regime change before the war. Netanyahu said he and Trump recognized “uncertainty and risk,” but agreed that inaction carried greater danger.
Netanyahu said the war may ultimately deepen Israel’s ties with some Arab states, despite Gulf concerns about Israeli dominance. He said unnamed Arab governments had expressed interest in stronger alliances with Israel on security, energy, artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
The prime minister also said China had provided Iran with “certain” support, including components related to missile manufacturing, though he declined to elaborate.
On Gaza, Netanyahu said Hamas must be disarmed, Gaza demilitarized and its population deradicalized. He said Israel would prefer others take on that role but would act if necessary.
“We are not going to let Hamas ever threaten Israel again,” Netanyahu said. “It’ll have to be done.”
