Israeli officials are preparing to open negotiations with the Trump administration on a new long-term security agreement that would prioritize joint military cooperation over direct cash assistance, according to senior defense officials.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israel is preparing to enter talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security agreement with the United States, seeking to extend long-standing military support while signaling a gradual move away from reliance on large U.S. cash grants, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The planned negotiations, expected to begin in the coming weeks, would focus on deepening joint military and defense projects rather than maintaining current levels of direct financial assistance, Gil Pinchas said in comments made shortly before stepping down as chief financial adviser to Israel’s military and defense ministry.
Speaking ahead of his departure, Pinchas said Israeli officials intend to emphasize cooperation on shared defense initiatives as the core of the next agreement. “The partnership is more important than just the net financial issue in this context,” he said. “There are a lot of things that are equal to money. The view of this needs to be wider.”
Pinchas indicated that direct financial aid — described as “free money” — could be gradually reduced over the life of a new agreement. Under the current framework, Israel receives about $3.3 billion annually in U.S. military assistance, funds that are largely used to purchase American-made weapons systems. Pinchas said that component of the arrangement “could decrease gradually” as Israel adjusts its long-term defense planning.
The existing memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in 2016 and runs for 10 years through September 2028. It provides a total of $38 billion in U.S. military assistance, including $33 billion in grants for military equipment purchases and an additional $5 billion earmarked for missile defense programs.
Israeli officials have increasingly framed the next agreement as an opportunity to rebalance the relationship toward shared development, production, and operational cooperation, rather than a continuation of large-scale cash transfers. Pinchas said Israel views deeper integration with U.S. defense programs as strategically valuable, even if it involves less direct funding.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly echoed that approach, saying he hoped Israel would be able to “taper off” its dependence on U.S. military aid over the next decade. His remarks underscored a broader effort by Israeli leaders to position the country for greater financial and operational self-reliance while preserving close defense ties with Washington.
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours. The discussions remain at a preliminary stage, and officials cautioned that no formal proposals have yet been exchanged. However, the statements from Israeli defense leadership indicate that the next round of U.S.-Israel security negotiations is likely to reflect a strategic shift away from cash assistance and toward long-term collaborative defense capabilities.
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