Donald Trump announced plans to end annual US military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, citing an agreement he said he had already reached with Benjamin Netanyahu. The announcement came yesterday, on the day of the US midterm elections.
Speaking to Fox News, the US president said Israel no longer needed the financial assistance, which he estimated at approximately $4 billion a year. He also acknowledged that ending the aid would deprive the left wing of the Democratic Party of an argument against Republicans, amid growing criticism of US support for Israel.
The announcement raises questions about existing commitments, as the current agreement provides for $38 billion in total aid through 2028.
The announcement raises significant questions about its implementation. The current 10-year memorandum of understanding, signed in 2016, provides for $38 billion in total assistance between 2019 and 2028, including $3.8 billion annually. Trump did not explain how the aid would be terminated ahead of schedule, what would happen to existing commitments or what role Congress would play.
The proposed alternative would involve Israel purchasing US weapons systems directly, alongside closer cooperation in the defence industry and technology. Such a transition could reduce Israel’s dependence on annual US funding without removing congressional oversight of arms sales.
Netanyahu’s government had not issued an official response, while opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot criticised the lack of formal briefings on a change of strategic significance.
Sources: The New York Times, Associated Press, Reuters
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