"It's a very real possibility," an official said.
Officials said the ministry envisions several scenarios in which the
Obama administration cuts U.S. military aid to Israel. They said the most
likely option was that the Democratic-controlled Congress would ask Israel
to agree to a significant cut to help the U.S. economy.
This scenario was expected to take place as early as October 2009,
following the summer recess by Congress. Officials said members of the House
and Senate could return from their districts armed with a mandate to cut
U.S. foreign aid.
In 2009, the administration imposed restrictions on Israel's use of U.S.
military aid. The Defense Department informed Israel that U.S. military aid
must be used only for weapons and related systems rather than non-combat
equipment. Over the last few years, the Israeli military has used U.S. aid
to purchase uniforms and food.
Officials said Congress was also expected to cut U.S. military aid to
other allies in the Middle East, with the possible exception of Jordan.
Egypt receives $1.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid, the second largest
recipient of Washington.
Another scenario was that the administration presses for a U.S. aid cut
to pressure the Jewish state to end its presence in the West Bank and
establish a Palestinian state by 2012. Officials said the administration has
already delayed several Israeli weapons requests submitted over the last
year.
"There are signals that this is already happening," an official said.
"Everything that Israel is asking for, even approved by Congress, is being
delayed."
The Israeli Defense Ministry and military have already been examining
substitutes for U.S. weapons and equipment, officials said. They said the
ministry has determined that most of the U.S. equipment could be replaced,
albeit with difficulty, by such suppliers as France and Russia.
"We turned down these offers because of our relationship with the United
States," an official told the Jerusalem Post. "If that relationship changes
we could always renew the partnership with France and other countries."