Netanyahu says Israel is not a US protectorate, has final say in nation’s security | World News
US Vice President JD Vance, meets with Israeli Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Miner’s Office in Jerusalem. (Photo: AP)
Israeli Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday rejected the notion of his country being an American protectorate. “We are not a protectorate of the United States. Israel is the one that will decide on its security,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued his office ahead of his meeting with visiting US Vice President JD Vance.
The Israeli PM repeated the same during a joint press conference with Vance, to which the US Vice President added, “We don’t want a protectorate.”
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US Vice President JD Vance, right, and Israel’s Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu arrive ahead of a meeting at the Prime Miner’s Office in Jerusalem. (Photo: AP)
US aid to Israel
While Israel is not a US protectorate, the Jewish state is the biggest recipient of American foreign aid. Israel has received over $300 billion in US aid since the 1940s, mainly in military support.
Since October 7, 2023, the United States has also enacted three legislations to provide at least $16.3 billion in direct military aid to Israel. In May 2025, the Israeli Defense Minry said that since the start of the war, the US had delivered ninety thousand tons of arms and equipment to the country on eight hundred transport planes and 140 ships.
‘US wants Israel as an ally’
According to Vance, the US wants Israel as an ally.
“We want Israel as an ally, and for the US to have less interest in the Middle East,” Vance said, adding that “Expanding the Abraham Accords will allow for stability that will hopefully last.”
US Vice President JD Vance at Israeli Prime Miner’s Office in Jerusalem. (Photo: AP)
‘Very tough task ahead’
Speaking to reporters before the meeting’s Vance also acknowledged that the road to peace is strewn with huge hurdles.
“We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza to make life better for the people in Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel. That’s not easy,” Vance said. “There’s a lot of work to do, but I feel very optimic about where we are.”
US Vice President JD Vance meeting Israeli Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Photo: AP)
International security force for Gaza
Even as the fragile ceasefire holds, uncertainties remain, including on the next phase and the deployment of an international security force in Gaza and who will govern the territory.
Vance said on Tuesday that officials are brainstorming on the composition of the security force, mentioning Turkey and Indonesia as countries expected to contribute troops. Britain is also sending a small contingent of military officers to Israel to ass in monitoring the ceasefire.
