Israel Can Thrive Without Help from the US
There have been some hand wringing among members of the Knesset and commanders in the IDF over President Trump’s announcement that the US will no longer supply military assistance to the Israeli government at the end of this year.
Many were shocked and caught off guard about the matter as the ten-year agreement between the two countries was not set to expire until 2028.
The friendship and alliance between the two countries were always strong and unquestionable; since the 1980’s Israel was designated a “Major Non-NATO Ally” that gave it special access to US military technology and greater cooperation with its ally.
Looking back in time, the US aid, both financial and military, has been a lifeline for the Jewish state.
But the real question is this: Does Israel still need it—and will the end of such aid spell trouble?
The answer to that question should be a resounding “NO.”
The United States was the first country to recognize Israel after its declaration of independence in 1948. At first, fearing anger from neighboring Arab countries, the US kept the relationship strictly diplomatic.
Two events changed all that: the SIX-DAY WAR in 1967, and the YOM KIPPUR WAR of 1973.
After these events, militarily, there was absolutely no daylight between Israel and the US—the US stood firmly behind Israel seeing that it was a solid Western ally in the Middle East.
By the late 1970s and 1980s, the cooperation grew even closer. From 1971 to 2007, Israel received both military and financial assistance from the US. After this period, most of the help came in the form of military aid.
The justification for all this is that Israel was surrounded by adversaries bent on its elimination and obviously needed the help.
But Israel is not a Third World country desperately trying to keep its citizens alive. Rather, it is a robust nation brimming with successful companies and innovative agricultural techniques.
Over the past ten years, the Israeli economy has proven to be highly resilient, ranking 5th in the world of high technology patents. Israel is also 1st in AI patents. Indeed, it has been the high technology sector that has driven a very strong economy. As of 2026, World Intellectual Property Organization Global Innovation Index, Israel ranks 15th overall globally, a remarkable achievement for a country of its size.
Considering these facts, the hue and cry coming from sectors of the Israeli government may be quite premature.
The US will still provide military help on an ad hoc basis should it be needed. Yes, Israel will have to spend more of its national budget on defense. However, both from a strategic point of view and national pride, Israel will be free of dependence on any foreign nation and able to act at will on its own behalf without asking for approval or at least thinking it must.
Certainly, the relationship between the two countries has been evolving. With a Democratic majority in the US House and Senate, the path forward may be a bit murkier than anticipated.
However, it is hard to imagine that the US and Israel would ever come to a diplomatic divorce. There are far too many important and shared concerns for that to ever happen.
Perhaps the greatest fear is a prolonged war that might tax the Israeli military to the edge. But even then, Israel has its own missile-defense technology, one of the best and most advanced air forces, highly trained ground troops and a muscular economy to keep it all going.
Yes, fear and trembling should be put aside.
When the sun rises next year, Israel will still be sitting tall.
Joseph M Bianchi is an independent journalist based in Greenville, SC, USA. He has written extensively on antisemitism, Israeli politics and Middle Eastern conflicts.
