Blinken Urges Shift From US Military Aid Grants to Israeli-Funded Arms Purchases

Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Israel has the financial capacity to fund its own defense needs, speaking in an interview with CNBC following the midterm elections.

While expressing strong support for continued weapons supplies to Israel, Blinken argued that the United States should transition away from direct grant-funded military assistance toward Israeli-financed procurement. He emphasized that the US maintains a fundamental interest in Israel's security, noting that such support must align with American law.

Addressing the 10-year memorandum of understanding governing US military aid through 2028, Blinken noted that its future depends on decisions by the White House and the incoming Congress as the shift from grants to arms sales gains momentum.

Blinken also addressed radical voices within the Democratic Party advocating for an arms embargo, warning that opposition to Israel's existence crosses a critical line that differs from legitimate policy debates.

Antony Blinken anticipates that US policy toward Israel will remain a central point of discussion within the Democratic Party and American politics in the coming years, calling for constructive dialogue.