Most would think that US aid is a good thing. It possibly never is. Perhaps all 'free' money is actually bad. Trump is being pro- Israel in ending US military aid, not appeasing anti-Israel factions. The anti-Israel factions who called for US Aid to 'defund' Israel - will be disturbed. Israel is about to show why.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. (Proverbs 21:31)
We do not support one faction over another – It's likely every ruler will be 'Base' (Daniel 4:17). The reason why Netanyahu is so hated is that he shows that he has love for his county. Like all leaders of this era, he is a poor shepherd. He has presided over some terrible decisions, the poor of the people were pushed about. The elected leaders are fat and flourish, but people are struggling to buy food (Ezekiel 34). That being said, under Netanyahu's early leadership Israel was able to refuse US economic aid.
When Netanyahu first took office in 1995, he inherited an aid structure that had been largely unchanged since 1987: $1.2b. annually in economic assistance and $1.8b. in military aid.
By the mid-1990s, however, runaway inflation had been tamed, and the economy was largely unleashed as trade barriers were dismantled, capital controls were liberalized, and foreign investment surged. The economic assistance that had been vital in the 1980s was no longer needed. Jpost
It is likely that US aid had caused more problems than it helped. US Aid prevented investments, why would you when there is money there for doing nothing? More so, money 'helicoptered' into an economy causes inflation. Worse, it gives power to nepotism. A free market prevented the politicians who disbursed the US Aid having such power. Was US economic Aid, beyond 1949, detrimental?
Long before Trump announced the end of US Aid. The Jerusalem post January 12 ran Netanyahu begins a farewell to US military aid - analysis
At his recent meeting in Mar-a-Lago with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said he told the president – that “here, too, we’ve come of age, and we’ve developed incredible capacity.”
Each MoU also imposed limits on how much of that money could be spent inside Israel. Under the Second MoU negotiated with the Bush administration, Israel was allowed to use 26.3% of the funds for local procurement. The Obama MoU phased that out entirely, with the local purchasing rate declining from 25% in 2019 to 11% in 2026 and reaching zero in 2028.
The result was not only deeper dependence on the US but also a growing disincentive to produce arms and munitions domestically.
Note that US arms now might be among the most expensive in the world. They might also not be what is needed.
At a time Israel was in a situation of existential risk, the US exercised leverage - and in doing so convinced Netanyahu that it was of no value..
October 7, the war that followed, and mounting tensions with the Biden administration over its conduct. In May 2024, as the IDF advanced toward Rafah, Biden said in a CNN interview that he had made it clear to Netanyahu and the war cabinet that the US would withhold support – including weapons and artillery shells – if Israel entered densely populated areas.
And, indeed, the US paused the shipments of heavy bombs out of concern they would be used in Rafah. Other munitions were slow-walked, reinforcing in real time the strategic risks of reliance.
Bad mistake. In fact every rabid anti-Israel hater who called to 'defund' Israel has made that same mistake – Aid was extremely powerful and could be used to make Israel do as the US wished. They had had power and they had used it.
In March 2024, the Prime Minister’s Office said Israel needed “to be much more independent in the ability to manufacture the war materiel that we need.” Israel has since significantly expanded domestic munitions production, including types of bombs the US had withheld. Netanyahu said in the Knesset last month that Israel would allocate roughly NIS 350b. over the next decade to build independent production capacity.
“I don’t know if a country can be completely independent,” he said, “but we will strive… to ensure our arms are produced as much as possible in Israel.”
Bloomberg noted in May Netanyahu: ...Says Israel Should Phase Out US Military Aid
Netanyahu haters are going to hate him more, as they see that power gone. It seems it was a Netanyahu move. He caused it to be done as he leaves power! Despite being clear, and public, since the beginning of the year – it appears nobody else got the message – not the Israeli president not the military. Y-net complains,
Netanyahu's office hails shift from US military aid to partnership after Trump announces cutoff
PM's office casts end of $3.8 billion in annual US military assistance as sign of stronger bilateral ties, despite Israeli defense and finance officials being unaware of agreement; abrupt cutoff could force Israel to overhaul arms procurement and missile defense funding. ynetnews.com
Yes - they are going to have to use Israeli tech more now rather than buy that expensive US gear - now all are going to scrutinise contracts to get the best value.. you see how with free money you accept substandard things, but if it's your own money you won't? See how now they have to 'overhaul' it and re-think it?
It was America spending in America..
The annual $3.8 billion sum is mostly spent in the United States to purchase weapon components or weapons systems themselves manufactured in American factories. Huckabee noted the production has created American jobs. TimesofIsrael
And those Israel-haters in America are going to realise that it was a great loss. Not only does the US lose that manufacturing, those jobs, that money into the US economy and the skill set with it- they gain competition from a vibrant Israeli manufacturing sector that has the capacity to obliterate parts of the US arms manufacturing sector.. by selling smarter and cheaper. The markets Israel will sell into are the same the US sells into. In fact Israeli arms might reach further. And then Israel might use that power of selling arms as real diplomatic power, as the US does.
All free money makes people weak. Free benefits make generations of lazy good for nothings. Free food makes one unable to learn how to make it oneself - it's called learned dependence. What is worse is the dependence gives absolute power. God's people must always be independent.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Pro 22:7)
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: (1Cor 4:12)
This advice works at national scales also – only those that hate you wish that you are dependent on them.
That freeing of Israel from US Aid is the work of Netanyahu is certain:
President Isaac Herzog said that Trump’s statement about halting military aid had hit “me like a bolt from the blue” as he discussed the issue at a meeting with Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar Party, the largest opposition party coming out of Israel’s elections, at his residence during consultations for the formation of a new government. timesofisrael
Did Netanyahu have issues with cutting Aid, so not now burdened by power he can act? He has cut government power. Less Aid gives less power to those who hand out Aid- and those in the pipeline to the end destination. Netanyahu just cut historic corruption. Now that the money for defence is from Israeli taxes, it has oversight- and accountability that 'free' money never had.
Just as Trump appears to lose power – he smashed Congress' and Senate's power to hurt Israel. Just as Netanyahu appears to lose power, he has Trump finish his most heartfelt political desire, to rid Israeli politics of US power. Eisenkot can work as he wishes to gain the love of the Democrats and Republicans – but he won't get money from them. Netanyahu can sit and laugh at his efforts (you can't get love by asking for it). He won through. Israel won.
The astute Israeli generation to follow will note that nobody has love – you get respect by projecting power and - um – sadly in this age - selling the best, most cost effective arms.
Israel won the Iran war. They emerge as the most respected power in the region. More powerful than Iran - more powerful than the Saudis or UAE (who couldn’t defend themselves), more effective than the Americans.
And now they are also going to be the arms makers.
Was US Aid to Israel ever pro-Israel? Those who gave it made Israel a US pet.
In fact, worse, as Israelis might think the US 'a bruised reed' was useful to lean on!
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him. (2 Kings 18:21)
Now it is an “equal strategic partnership between the two countries.
“The transition by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump from assistance to partnership demonstrates the strength and sophistication of our relationship, as well as its ability to adapt and remain resilient over time," Netanyahu's office said.
Now the US will have to ask Israel's permission to act in Israel's backyard, as now Israel might just withdraw their tech… now you see Netanyahu's strategy? Win-win and no pets. Robust argument and economic rationalism.
But all those who hated Israel and thought 'lets cut aid' -will now be left bereft.
What we think is not how the world is. Two signs of miracle: Unexpected power.
Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: (John 19:11)
The power of a value system that doesn't love money. Similar situation -
Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. (2Ch 25:9)
What has God just done apart from showing Israel not to covet free money?
Those who might have had power in the US have no leverage in the House – it cannot used democratically anymore as Trump worked out (win for Israel – win for him) – it has no leverage as to who gets the arms manufacture contracts. It has no leverage in foreign policy now – not one bit – the US Congress can censure Israel and Israel can now censure them back - as they are treating the UK and Netherlands, so they can treat the US. The 'defunders' didn't think it through – but Netanyahu and Trump did (Trump is avoiding any Israel-related leverage on him. nobody is interested in the $1.45 billion to $2.1 billion annually to Jordan or the $1.5 billion to Egypt or even the staggering $5 billion per year to operate bases and have 35,000 troops in Germany – People might be asking about) $196.4 billion to Ukraine, but Trump has no stake in that fight.) So thought also did the 'wiser' heads of the old Democratic party – the ones who thought they could do good by using the soft power of US Aid to make 'peace'.
They used that power.
It's all over.
The two state solution sponsored by America - It's over.
And in any case who uses 'solution' and 'Jews'?
Those that called to 'defund' Israel – are going now hate Israel even more – as they see how Trump 'defunding' is all to Israel's good, especially as Israel rises in stature among the nations - as a nation to be feared – one now which can have the best weapons.
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. (Psalm 12:5)
Many think Messiah needs to come for Jews to
dwell in safety. But the nations will be incensed to invade as Jews
are in safety (Ezekiel 38)- God causes them to dwell in safety.
How strange - in a shocking moment – suddenly, where two
leaders appear to have no power – they change a 'fact' of the
'necessity' of US Aid, a 'fact' fossilised since 1949!
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: (Jeremiah 32:37)
