Welcoming PM’s remarks, GOP senator calls for Israel aid money ‘to be recouped ASAP’

US Senator Lindsey Graham welcomes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that he won’t seek a full renewal of the 10-year military assistance package due to expire in 2028, and that Israel could forgo the billions in subsidies it receives a year to purchase American weapons systems.

“The aid we have provided to Israel has been a great investment keeping the IDF strong, sharing technology, and making their military more capable — to the benefit of the United States,” Graham, a South Carolina Republican, writes on X. “Apparently there is a desire by Israel to change that dynamic because they have a roaring economy.”

Citing Netanyahu’s remarks and expressing his appreciation of “allies who are trying to be more self-sufficient,” Graham continues, “We need not wait ten years.”

“The billions in taxpayer dollars that would be saved by expediting the termination of military aid to Israel will and should be plowed back into the US military, which is the best in the world and in great demand,” he says.

Graham adds: “We have no better ally than Israel. Their future is tremendously important to America at many levels. These billions need to be recouped as soon as possible so we can help meet President Trump’s $1.5 trillion national budget goal for our military, an idea I support because of the numerous conflicts we face and the changes in warfare.”

He also says that in his role as head of the Senate Appropriates Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, “I will be presenting a proposal to Israel and the Trump administration to dramatically expedite the timetable.”