Tel Aviv, Nov. 6 -- In a major strategic pivot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel is ready to move away from direct US military assistance, reframing the historic shift as definitive proof of Israel's economic power and equal partnership with the United States.

Responding to US President Donald Trump's recent announcement to cut Israel's aid by end of the year, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office highlighted the historical nature of defence assistance between the two nations while pointing to an evolving strategic relationship.

"U.S. military aid to Israel has always been a cross-the-aisle agreement. Israel has used it both to defend itself and to confront enemies who threaten America and the West," the Israeli PMO ...