Trump announces end of $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel
The U.S. president said he had reached an agreement with Benjamin Netanyahu to suspend aid by the end of 2026, although Washington would continue to support Israel if necessary.
President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington will end the $3.8 billion in annual military aid it provides to Israel as part of a bilateral agreement in effect through 2028.
During an interview on the show Fox & Friends, on Fox News, Trump stated that he had reached an understanding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to suspend funding by the end of this year, arguing that Israel no longer needs that financial support.
According to the president, the decision was discussed with Netanyahu months ago and has his approval. However, the Israeli prime minister's office had not publicly confirmed the agreement at the time of the announcement, according to Reuters.
Trump clarified that the United States will continue to sell weapons to Israel and that it could provide additional assistance if the situation requires it.
A military agreement in effect through 2028
The assistance program is part of a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2016, during the Barack Obama administration, which committed the country to providing $38 billion in military aid to Israel over ten years, from fiscal years 2019 through 2028.
According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the agreement provides for $33 billion in military funding and an additional $5 billion for missile defense programs.
Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the suspension announced by Trump would be implemented, given that the bilateral commitment remains in effect and the funds are subject to congressional budget appropriations.
The decision comes on election day
The announcement came on Tuesday, November 3, as millions of Americans headed to the polls for the midterm elections.
Trump partially linked the decision to the criticism directed at U.S. aid to Israel, particularly from sectors of the Democratic Party.
During the interview, he mentioned the Democratic candidate for the Senate from Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, who has questioned unconditional military aid to Israel.
The president insisted that Israel remains one of Washington's key allies, but he maintained that its economic situation allows it to reduce its dependence on U.S. funds.
The announcement does not signify a breakdown in the military alliance between the two countries, although it raises questions about the future of U.S. funding and the implementation of the assistance agreement before its scheduled expiration in September 2028.
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