Former Israeli ambassador urges quick shift from US military aid to partnership

Michael Oren, who served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States and later as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, warned on 103FM that Israel cannot assume it has another decade to transition away from American military aid. He spoke about President Donald Trump’s recent announcement regarding the termination of that assistance. Oren noted that the decision appears tied to the American political climate and the upcoming election cycle.

The current memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two nations is set to expire in two years. Oren observed that Trump has moved up the timetable for ending the financial support, a move he said was based on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recommendation. The former ambassador described the announcement as either a trial balloon or a bombshell. He stated that he has long argued Israel needs to prepare for the possibility that aid will end.

Oren cautioned that the timeline for this shift belongs to Washington, not Jerusalem. He pointed out that Democrats have previously voted to end military aid in Congress. If they take control of one or both chambers of Congress, that could lead to the termination of intelligence assistance and other forms of cooperation. Oren argued that Israel’s strategic importance to the United States makes a reduction in its military capabilities counterintuitive for American interests.

He described Israel as the only ally willing to fight shoulder to shoulder with the United States. According to Oren, the country enhances American security capabilities through its technology and is located in a sensitive region. He questioned the logic of reducing that country’s ability to help the Americans and contribute to US security. Oren also highlighted the diplomatic value of American support, specifically the ability to cast a veto at the United Nations Security Council.

The former deputy minister addressed changing political dynamics within the United States. He noted that the Muslim population in Michigan is now larger than the Jewish population there. He added that one-third of Jews in New York voted for Zohran Mamdani, and that AIPAC is in the crosshairs of politicians. Oren expressed surprise at the idea of immediately stopping aid while Israel is engaged in war. He suggested an arrangement where Trump supports Netanyahu in exchange for not launching a war before the midterms, rather than giving up aid for an endorsement.

Oren warned that replacing American military production with Chinese alternatives would cross a clear red line for Washington. He recalled meetings with several administrations that told Israel it could not have both American and Chinese defense ties. He also discussed his initial opposition to the MOU, citing the loss of opportunities. For years, he asked to purchase B-1 or B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles, but was told no. Conversely, when Israel wanted to sell something to China, it was rejected.

The former ambassador has called for an end to military aid in favor of transforming that assistance into a partnership. He believes the current structure involves significant opportunity costs because Israel could not choose everything it wanted to buy. The shift to a partnership would allow for more strategic flexibility. Oren’s comments reflect a growing consensus among some Israeli officials that the current aid model is no longer sustainable in the changing geopolitical environment.