Trump announces plan to end US military aid to Israel by year-end

President Donald Trump told Fox News that the United States will stop providing roughly $4 billion in military aid to Israel at the close of 2025, saying the assistance is no longer needed. He added that the aid would be replaced by direct arms sales to Israel.

"We were giving them $4bn … But it gets cut off at the end of the year," Trump said during the interview.

Trump linked the decision to criticism from political figures such as Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, describing the opposition to aid as a “bad talking point.” He also claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had approached him about ending the aid, noting that Netanyahu had previously suggested a gradual reduction over a decade.

Israeli officials appeared surprised by the announcement. Opposition leaders in Israel warned that the move could damage the bilateral security relationship. Centre-right rival Gadi Eisenkot said the disclosure highlighted concerns about Netanyahu’s conduct, while Yair Golan of the Democratic opposition party argued that a responsible prime minister would seek to increase, not cut, American aid.

The United States currently provides about $3.8 billion in foreign military financing grants to Israel each year, allowing purchases of U.S. equipment such as F-35 fighter jets, plus an additional $500 million for joint missile-defence programs.

The timing of the announcement coincides with U.S. midterm elections, where support for Israel has become a prominent issue in several races, including the Michigan Senate contest involving El-Sayed. Recent polls indicate a shift in public opinion, with a plurality of Americans expressing that the United States is too supportive of Israel.