Israel is preparing for talks with US President Donald Trump\u2019s administration on a new 10-year security deal, seeking to extend US military support even as Israeli leaders signal they are planning for a future with reduced American cash grants, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Gil Pinchas, speaking to the FT before stepping down as chief financial adviser to Israel\u2019s military and defence ministry, said Israel would seek to prioritise joint military and defence projects over cash handouts in talks he expected to take place in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
The US state department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe partnership is more important than only the net financial issue in this context. There are a lot of things that are equal to money,\u201d Pinchas told the FT. \u201cThe view of this needs to be wider.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinchas said pure financial support, or \u201cfree money\u201d, worth $3.3bn (R53bn) a year, which Israel can use to purchase US weapons, was \u201cone component of the MOU (that) could decrease gradually\u201d.<\/p>\n
In 2016, the US and Israeli governments signed a memorandum of understanding for the 10 years through to September 2028 that provides $38bn in military aid, $33bn in grants to buy military equipment and $5bn for missile defence systems.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped to \u201ctaper off\u201d Israeli dependence on US military aid in the next decade.<\/p>\n