But Netanyahu refused to commit to Callahan, sources said. When pressed on this issue by reporters later, Netanyahu said Israel cannot go from childhood to adulthood on the aid issue, but must first go through "adolescence."

In his remarks to Congress on aid, Netanyahu made it clear that no dramatic voluntary cuts are in the offing.

"In the next four years, we are going to begin the long-term process of gradually reducing the level of your generous economic assistance to Israel."