By Karim Hammam
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to terminate $4 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel by the end of 2026, framing the move as a response to domestic political pressure.
Deal details
In a Fox News interview, Trump stated he and Netanyahu "made a deal months ago" to stop the aid because Israel has become "a very successful country" that no longer needs the assistance. He added that continuing the aid would give Democrats a "talking point" against Republicans in the midterm elections.
Political motivation
Trump specifically referenced Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has criticized U.S. military support for Israel. The president said he did not want Republicans to "suffer the slings from lunatics like an El-Sayed" over an aid package Israel no longer requires.
Current aid framework
The current aid arrangement is governed by a 10-year memorandum of understanding signed during the Obama administration, which provides $3.8 billion annually and expires at the end of fiscal year 2028. The agreement requires Israel to spend the vast majority of funds on U.S.-made defense equipment.
Israeli reaction
Two Israeli Finance Ministry sources expressed surprise at Trump's comments, noting that the next annual budget had already been drafted based on the existing MoU. Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Election context
Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who led the opposition bloc in last week's parliamentary election, warned that learning of a strategic shift through the media highlights the danger of Netanyahu's conduct. Eisenkot's bloc won 48 seats to Netanyahu's 53, leaving no coalition with a 61-seat majority.
