Politics1 min read

Trump says US ending US$3.8 billion in annual aid for Israel

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

During a Fox News phone interview, President Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed months ago to terminate the financial assistance because the country is thriving. However, the unexpected public declaration sparked immediate blowback in Israel, where opposition figures condemned the prime minister for leaving the defense establishment uninformed. Trump also cited escalating domestic political liabilities surrounding the funding, which has increasingly divided politicians across both major American parties.

Key points

  • The planned cessation of military assistance follows months of regional conflict involvin…: The planned cessation of military assistance follows months of regional conflict involving the Gaza Strip and Iran.
  • Critics inside Israel are leveraging the surprise announcement to renew calls for Benjami…: Critics inside Israel are leveraging the surprise announcement to renew calls for Benjamin Netanyahu to be replaced.
  • The United States has not finalized a precise date for when the multi-billion-dollar aid…: The United States has not finalized a precise date for when the multi-billion-dollar aid cutoff will officially take effect.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

"Israel is a very thriving country. They don't need it," US President Donald Trump said.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday (Nov 3) that Washington would end its annual US$3.8 billion in aid to Israel, on the day of midterm elections in which support for Israel has been a contentious issue.

"We give Israel US$4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping," Trump said during a phone interview with Fox News.

Trump said Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "fine" with the decision to end the aid.

Under the deal, Israel receives financial assistance for the purchase of around US$3.8 billion in weapons a year.

"Now we'll help Israel if they need it," Trump said. "Israel is a very thriving country. They don't need it."

The announcement came as Americans voted in crucial midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the last two years of Trump's presidency, and soon after parliamentary elections in Israel that did not produce a clear winner.

Since its founding in 1948, Israel has received more than…

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