Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the nation to break free from its military reliance on the U.S. and establish its own weapons production capabilities, a move seen as a strategy to fortify Israel's stance in its ongoing conflict with Iran.
Netanyahu expressed his views during a meeting with reserve combat officers in the West Bank's Gush Etzion on Tuesday. While he acknowledged the support received from the U.S., he stressed the importance of Israel having an independent weapons-production system, reported the Times of Israel.
"…But today I say: We need our own independent weapons-production system. We must manufacture our own armaments," said Netanyahu.
The Prime Minister stated, "We are now confronting Iran and its proxies. We have struck them hard. It is not over yet, but it depends on our strength." He further added that Israel's position in the next 30 years would be determined by its strength and independence in armament capability.