Trump Says US Will End $4 Billion Annual Aid to Israel by Year-End
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States will stop providing roughly $4 billion in annual funding to Israel by the end of 2026, citing a deal reached months earlier with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on the morning of the US midterm elections, Trump stated that Israel no longer needs the assistance.
“Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we’re stopping,” he said.
“We’ve already agreed that by the end of this year we won’t be paying Israel. Now we’ll help Israel if they need it.”
Trump added that Netanyahu had raised the idea and that Israel was comfortable with the arrangement because it had become a successful country.
He described Israel as a “great ally” and said the United States would continue to assist if necessary.
When asked whether the figure referred to military aid or direct cash, Trump replied that it could be defined “any way you want,” including as barter, military aid or cash.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a 10-year memorandum of understanding under which the United States provides Israel with about $3.8 billion in military aid annually.
That agreement, which allows Israel to purchase US weapons, is scheduled to run through 2028.
It was not immediately clear how the funding would be halted at the end of 2026 or precisely which assistance Trump was referring to. There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu’s office.
Trump linked the decision in part to domestic politics, saying the funding had become a “bad talking point” used by Democrats and left-wing politicians against Republicans.
He specifically referenced criticism from candidates such as Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
Netanyahu has previously indicated a desire to gradually reduce reliance on US financial support. In earlier comments he spoke of drawing down aid over a decade.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
