Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to gradually eliminate Israel's reliance on American military aid within the next decade, signaling a significant shift in the country's defense strategy. In an interview with The Economist, Netanyahu revealed that he may not seek to fully renew the current annual assistance package, emphasizing Israel's goal to become as independent as possible and to improve its global public image.

Netanyahu addressed the challenges Israel faces in the information war, describing the spread of misinformation and vilification against the Jewish state, and highlighting the difficulties of maintaining international support during the Israel-Hamas conflict. He suggested that a ceasefire could help reduce global criticism and misinformation.

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu discussed the ongoing anti-regime protests and the aftermath of joint military strikes that weakened Iran's nuclear capabilities. He stated that while regime change is not Israel's objective, it could become a consequence of recent events. Netanyahu underscored that Israel would only resume military action if directly attacked by Iran, while closely monitoring the situation as Iranians protest for change.