President Donald Trump told Fox & Friends that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to end U.S. annual aid to Israel after this year.
Key points
- Trump says a deal with Netanyahu will end $4 bn in U.S. annual aid to Israel after the end of 2026.
- The specific form of aid being stopped was not clarified, and the State Department has not confirmed the claim.
- A recent House amendment to cut off Israel aid was defeated 314‑104, reflecting a split within Congress.
- Critics view the announcement as politically motivated ahead of the midterm elections.
President Donald Trump said on the morning broadcast of Fox & Friends that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have struck a deal to stop the United States’ yearly $4 billion aid to Israel once the calendar year ends.
Trump explained that the $4 billion figure represents the annual amount the two leaders had previously agreed to provide, and that the decision to halt the payments was made months ago; he added that the United States would still assist Israel "if they need it."
Trump's announcement
The announcement did not specify which categories of assistance—military, economic or otherwise—would be affected, and a request for comment from the U.S. State Department went unanswered at the time of reporting.
The statement arrives as the issue of U.S. military aid to Israel has become a flashpoint in domestic politics, highlighted by a July vote in the House of Representatives that rejected an amendment to cut off aid, losing 314‑104 despite backing from nearly half of Democratic lawmakers.
Unclear aid details
The defeated amendment, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, underscored growing partisan divisions over Israel, while former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene dismissed Trump’s claim as a midterm‑election tactic, writing on X that "Trump getting permission from Netanyahu to end annual aid isn’t going to change today’s election results."
Analysts note that the public criticism of Israel by U.S. leaders marks a departure from decades of bipartisan support, but the practical impact of Trump’s announced halt remains uncertain until an official policy change is confirmed.
Reader questions
What type of aid is Trump referring to?
The statement only mentioned a $4 billion yearly amount; it did not specify whether the aid is military, economic or another category, and officials have not provided further details.
Has the U.S. government officially announced the cessation of aid?
As of the report, the State Department had not responded to inquiries, and no formal policy change had been publicly confirmed.
What happened to the recent House amendment on Israel aid?
The amendment to cut off aid was defeated in the House, with a vote of 314‑104, despite support from many Democrats and some Republicans.
Source: aljazeera.com
