Trump and Netanyahu agree to replace aid with strategic partnership
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U. S. President Donald Trump discussed moving from annual U. S. military aid to a broader strategic partnership, the Israeli prime minister's office said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the aid cut unexpected and said officials on both sides were seeking clarification, CNN reported.
President Donald Trump had earlier announced that the United States would end the roughly $4 billion yearly military assistance to Israel, citing electoral considerations, The Hindu reported. Earlier reports said the aid would cease by the end of 2025 (The Guardian), by 2026 (India Today) or by 2027 (Euronews). A former National Security Council senior adviser warned the cut could be seen as a retreat from U. S. security commitments, and analysts said it might undermine confidence among Gulf states, both reported by The Jerusalem Post. A State Department letter indicated Israel could face a $10 billion shortfall for already-placed weapons orders, according to Globes.
