Jerusalem, 24 October. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel must prepare for the end of US military assistance worth tens of billions of dollars and for possible economic sanctions, including banking sanctions, calling the end of the aid "only a matter of time", Anadolu reports, citing an interview with the business broadcaster Channel 10.
"If you think we're going to continue receiving what I secured twice, and that's tens of billions of dollars in American aid for the defense budget, prepare yourselves and get used to the fact that it won't happen, because America has changed," Netanyahu said. He gave no date for an end to the aid and announced no formal US decision.
Netanyahu said he had ordered preparations for possible economic and banking sanctions, including exploring alternative financial technologies. Asked whether blockchain could be a way around sanctions, he replied: "Yes, that's one of the ways. And I've already asked for a plan to be prepared."
Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, accused the prime minister of being detached from reality. He said that avoiding sanctions requires fighting "Jewish terrorism" that damages Israel's international standing, preserving strategic alliances and replacing the government in the election, with a new one "without Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir and Deri". The remarks came four days before the 27 October parliamentary election; according to final polls cited by Anadolu, Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win 50 seats to the opposition's 52.
What it means: Israel's prime minister said plainly that American military aid will end and urged preparations for sanctions, up to settlements via blockchain. The opposition says the solution is a change of government.
Who benefits: Netanyahu, who can campaign on self-reliance and external threats in the final days. The opposition, which gains an argument that the prime minister's policies are isolating the country. There is no US decision on aid yet.
Background: Under a 2016 memorandum, Israel receives $38 billion in US military aid over ten years, with the agreement expiring in 2028. Netanyahu has previously called for reducing dependence on US military aid.
List of sources used: Anadolu
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
