Netanyahu says he wants U.S. military support to Israel to be drawn 'down to zero' over next 10 years

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israeli.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's proposed to President Donald Trump to begin incrementally scaling back military aid the U.S. provides Israel with each year, nearly $4 billion, until it's eventually "down to zero."

The remark came during a wide-ranging interview on 60 Minutes that aired Sunday night and largely focused on the war with Iran, and Israel's involvement in it. At one point in the conversation, Netanyahu brought up the financial support the U.S. provides to Israel. "It is now $3.8 billion per year and subject to new political scrutiny because of shifting public attitudes about Israel and foreign aid in general," Netanyahu said.

"Do you believe it's time for the state of Israel to reexamine and possibly reset its financial relationship to the United States?" CBS reporter Major Garrett asked. "Meaning, what the United States provides to Israel on an annual basis."

"Absolutely," Netanyahu replied. "And I've said this to President Trump. I've said it in-- to our own people. Their jaws drop. I want to draw down to zero the American financial support, the financial component of the military cooperation that we have. It’s time we weaned ourselves from the remaining military support," he continued. "I said, let's start now and do it over the next decade, over the next 10 years, but I want to start now. I don't want to wait for the next Congress."

One of the reasons Netanyahu thinks it's time to start drawing down the financial support is Americans' changing views toward Israel. A recent Pew survey showed 60% of U.S. adults hold an unfavorable view of Israel, a sharp increase of 20 points in four years. Netanyahu attributes the swing in public opinion to social media manipulation. 

Below, watch a clip of Netanyahu discussing a decade-long drawdown of U.S. financial and military support to Israel.