Trump says U.S. will end $4 billion annual aid to Israel after 2026
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President Donald Trump announced that the United States will stop its $4 billion yearly aid package to Israel after this year, while continuing weapons sales and limited assistance if needed. The decision reflects a tougher, more realistic approach to foreign aid and a recognition that Israel can stand on its own feet.
President Donald Trump told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to end the United States' $4 billion annual assistance to Israel by the end of the year. He said the United States will continue to sell weapons to Israel and will provide help if required, signaling a significant change in a relationship that many conservatives have long argued should be based on mutual strength rather than open-ended payments.
The announcement was made on Election Day as Americans voted in midterm elections. Trump argued that Israel no longer needs the financial assistance and suggested the move would undercut a criticism often used by Democratic opponents of the Republican Party, showing once again that he is willing to challenge the old Washington consensus on foreign spending.
"Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel USD 4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping. 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 said.
The existing U.S.–Israel Memorandum of Understanding, which provides $3.8 billion in annual military assistance, remains in effect until September 2028, and Trump did not detail how the funding would be halted by December.
Polls show growing U.S. public skepticism about the level of aid to Israel, with a June Quinnipiac University survey finding that 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats believe the United States is too supportive of Israel.
Israeli opposition figures criticized the manner of the announcement. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of a rival bloc, said the change in the strategic relationship was being learned through the media and warned that it reflected a danger posed by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Netanyahu had previously indicated that Israel would gradually reduce its reliance on U.S. financial assistance, noting a shift in Washington's position.
Republican Congressman Don Bacon questioned why the Israeli government had not been informed before the public announcement. Legislative context includes a 2020 law authorising military assistance to Israel, with annual appropriations still required, and a provision in the proposed 2027 National Defense Authorization Act that seeks to deepen defense technology cooperation while the United States considers reducing direct financial aid.