Dr. Raphael BenLevi on Ending U.S. Aid to Israel

In this episode of The Tikvah Podcast, host Jonathan Silver interviews Rafael Ben-Levy, a senior fellow at the Mizgav Institute and reserve IDF intelligence officer, about his controversial argument that the United States should end its annual $3.5 billion military aid package to Israel. Ben-Levy contends that the U.S.-Israel relationship has evolved from a patron-client dynamic to a true partnership, especially following the unprecedented joint military operations against Iran in 2026, which showcased full integration of U.S. and Israeli air forces, intelligence sharing, and mutual battlefield support. He argues that Israel’s economic and military maturity—evidenced by its growing GDP, advanced defense industry, and ability to fund its own procurement—renders the aid model obsolete. The aid, he claims, undermines Israeli sovereignty, limits strategic freedom, and harms Israel’s global image as a self-reliant 'startup nation.' Instead, he advocates for a phased transition to full Israeli funding, expanded cooperative defense projects (like joint missile defense R&D), and a deeper strategic partnership where Israel takes greater regional responsibility—particularly in deterring Iran and ensuring Red Sea security—free from the constraints of foreign aid. The conversation also explores the moral and civilizational dimensions of this shift, framing it as Israel’s 'coming of age' as a mature, independent state capable of leading by example in the modern world.