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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said U.S. financial assistance to Israel is "like welfare" and said he wants to gradually phase it out over the next decade amid rising disagreements between Tel Aviv and Washington, particularly over the Iran policy.
"I want to stop U.S. aid. It is like welfare. I do not want it," Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 broadcast Tuesday evening.
He said Israel's economy is no longer small and is capable of independently covering its costs.
"U.S. funding represents a small part of gross domestic product and Israel now has enough financial capacity to cover the amount entirely from its own resources," he said.
Asked whether Israel should stop receiving U.S. aid, Netanyahu replied: "Yes."
"I want a 10-year phase that would gradually reduce Israel's dependence on the U.S.," he said.
Netanyahu said Israel's economy is approaching $1 trillion and that the country would be able to finance itself starting next year.
In a previous interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" on May 11, Netanyahu said Israel should reconsider its financial relationship with the United States.
"Absolutely. And I've said this to President Trump. I've said it to our own people," he said at the time.
He added that the process should begin immediately and continue over the next decade.
Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges related to war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
The U.S. is Israel's largest ally. In 2016, the two sides signed a 10-year agreement covering 2019-2028, under which U.S. aid to Israel totals about $38 billion.
Disagreements between Tel Aviv and Washington have recently increased over the ongoing negotiations with Iran and a memorandum of understanding to end the war between the two sides.
Israeli officials have said the Trump administration sidelined Tel Aviv from talks with Tehran and did not fully take Israel's interests into account.
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