US President Donald Trump has said Washington will end its annual military funding to Israel after this year, following an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while maintaining arms sales to the Middle East ally.
Trump made the announcement on Tuesday during an interview with Fox News’ Fox & Friends, saying Israel no longer needed the financial assistance and that the decision had been agreed upon with Netanyahu months ago.
He said the move was partly intended to remove what he described as a political advantage for left-wing Democrats, who have criticised Republicans over continued US military support for Israel.
“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,” Trump 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,” he added.
However, Trump did not explain how the funding would be discontinued, given that the existing Memorandum of Understanding between both countries provides for $3.8 billion in annual US military assistance through September 2028.
The announcement comes amid growing divisions in the United States over support for Israel, particularly following its military offensive in Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack.
Public support for Israel has declined, especially among Democratic voters, with a Quinnipiac University poll in June showing that 48 per cent of American voters and 66 per cent of Democrats believe Washington is too supportive of Israel.
The figures represent a significant increase from 16 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, when the question was first asked in 2017.
Trump specifically referenced Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who opposes unconditional military assistance to Israel, saying he wanted to remove an issue Democrats could use against Republicans.
The announcement has also drawn attention because of growing criticism of Israel within Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, particularly over the ongoing conflict with Iran and concerns about American involvement in the war.
Analysts questioned the timing of Trump’s declaration, which came as Americans voted in midterm elections that could determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress.
Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies questioned why Trump chose Election Day to announce the decision, particularly amid speculation about a possible major joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran.
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Don Bacon criticised the manner in which the announcement was made, saying his major concern was that Israeli officials had not been informed.
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Israeli opposition bloc seeking to unseat Netanyahu, also criticised the development, arguing that Israel’s security establishment and citizens should not have to learn about changes to the strategic relationship through the media.
Netanyahu had previously acknowledged the possibility of a gradual reduction in American financial assistance, saying in an October interview that Israel should prepare for a future without the billions of dollars it currently receives from Washington.
Despite the proposed withdrawal of direct funding, the US House of Representatives has passed a provision in the 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act aimed at deepening military technology cooperation between both countries.
Boluwatife Enome
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