Netanyahu calls for Israel to reduce dependence on US weapons support

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for Israel to become less dependent on American military support, saying the country must build its own weapons-production capacity. He made the remarks during a meeting with reserve combat officers in Gush Etzion in the West Bank. The comments come as tensions rise between Jerusalem and Washington over a US-backed framework with Iran.

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Netanyahu said he appreciated the support Israel has received from the United States over many years, but argued that the country now needs an independent weapons-production system. He said Israel must manufacture its own armaments and linked the issue to the wider confrontation with Iran and its proxies. In his remarks, he said the conflict was not over and that Israel's long-term position would depend on its own strength.

The statement comes at a sensitive moment in US-Israel relations. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Washington could pressure Israel to limit military operations against Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon. The remarks also follow comments by the US vice-president that two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel were US-made and funded by American taxpayers, underlining the scale of American support.

The push for greater weapons-production autonomy reflects a broader strategic debate in Israel about military freedom of action and long-term resilience. The issue has become more prominent as the Trump administration advances negotiations aimed at turning a recently signed US-Iran memorandum of understanding into a permanent agreement. Israel has publicly opposed elements of that framework, saying it could constrain its ability to act against threats it sees as immediate.

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Netanyahu framed the issue as one of national strength over decades rather than only in the current conflict. He said Israel was building greater strength now and suggested that future security would depend on domestic production capacity. The remarks also point to the importance of defence industry planning at a time when Israel is still confronting Iran and allied armed groups across the region.

What remains unclear is how far Israel can move toward greater self-reliance in weapons production, and whether the comments will affect ongoing security discussions with Washington. It is also not clear whether the remarks signal any immediate policy change or are intended mainly as a strategic message. The next developments to watch are the response from US officials and whether the dispute over the Iran framework widens further.

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