A prominent American researcher has called for an end to US military aid to Israel, arguing that Washington is “no longer obligated to bear the consequences of Israel’s policies and mistakes” and that the time has come to reassess the strategic relationship between the two countries in light of recent political shifts and regional wars.
In an article published by Foreign Policy, Steven Cook, a senior fellow at the New York based Council on Foreign Relations, argued that calls to halt or reduce military aid to Israel are no longer confined to left wing circles or pro Palestinian activists. According to Cook, such discussions are becoming increasingly visible within the Democratic Party itself.
The writer pointed to an April vote in which a majority of Democratic senators opposed a weapons deal for Israel involving armoured bulldozers and heavy bombs, despite the package receiving broad Republican backing in the Senate.
Cook argued that the shift in American attitudes is being driven by growing discomfort within US political circles over Israel’s conduct during the war on Gaza, alongside what he described as the “creeping annexation” of the occupied West Bank.
Reassessing US Policy
According to Cook, the idea of using American aid as leverage on Israel is not new and has been discussed for years, including during the 2020 US presidential election campaign.
He argued that Israel is now financially capable of funding its own military needs and suggested that the current memorandum of understanding governing US military aid, which expires in 2028, should be the final agreement of its kind.
However, Cook also warned that ending aid would not come without consequences for the United States itself. Under the current arrangement, Israel is required to spend much of the aid money within the American market, supporting thousands of jobs tied to major US arms manufacturers such as Boeing and Raytheon.
As a result, terminating military aid could negatively affect American employment and defence industries, making the issue politically sensitive within Congress.
Would Ending Aid Change Israeli Policy?
Cook questioned the assumption that ending US support would significantly weaken Israel’s military capabilities or force Tel Aviv to alter its policies.
According to the article, Israel has already accelerated efforts to strengthen its domestic military industries and expand self reliance, particularly following Operation Al Aqsa Flood on 7 October 2023.
The report noted that the Israeli government has signed contracts with a local company to manufacture heavy bombs domestically rather than relying on imports.
Cook added that Israel already possesses advanced capabilities in drone warfare, air defence systems, and military artificial intelligence technologies, all of which have become decisive factors in conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Iran.
For that reason, he argued that “ending aid will not make the Israeli military less lethal”, nor would it prevent Israel from continuing annexation policies or military operations.
Political and Moral Calculations in Washington
Cook concluded that ending military aid to Israel could provide Washington with certain political and moral advantages, particularly by creating greater distance from controversial Israeli policies and easing internal American divisions surrounding support for Israel.
At the same time, he stressed that such a move “would not lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, would not prevent Israel from using force, and would not fundamentally alter the balance of the conflict”.
