Netanyahu declares Israel no longer needs US financial aid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he wants to end US financial assistance to Israel as early as this year, arguing that the country’s economy is now strong enough to operate without American aid, according to News18.

“I want to stop American aid. It’s like welfare; I don’t want it. Our economy is no longer a small economy… we can finance ourselves this fraction of a per cent of our GDP that we receive from the United States. I want this process to start this year,” the prime minister said during a press conference.

Netanyahu also made several statements regarding regional security.

He reiterated his opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state. Commenting on Israel’s military actions against Iran, Netanyahu said: “We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary.”

The Israeli leader also stated that Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon for as long as Israel considers Hezbollah to be a threat.

By Jeyhun Aghazada