#Benjamin Netanyahu

Wednesday, 4 November

Middle East

Trump says US will end $4 billion yearly aid to Israel after this year

President Donald Trump told Fox News on Tuesday that the US will stop giving Israel about $4 billion a year after this year. He said Israel can buy US weapons instead, while Israeli opposition leaders blamed Prime Minister Netanyahu.

US President Donald Trump made the announcement in a phone interview with Fox News on Tuesday morning, as voting began in the US midterm elections. He said Israel does not need the money. According to the BBC, Trump said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a deal "months ago" to stop the payments. "Now we'll help Israel if they need it," he said. It is not clear which funds Trump meant. The BBC noted that a memorandum of understanding giving Israel $3.8 billion a year in military assistance runs until the end of 2028. According to The Guardian, most of the roughly $3.8 billion Israel received in 2025 came as foreign military financing grants. These grants let it buy US hardware, including F-35 fighter jets. Another $500 million went to joint missile defence programmes. Trump said Israel can buy weapons from the US if needed. The BBC said it had asked the White House to clarify. Netanyahu's office has not commented. Trump accused Democrats of using US aid to Israel as a "talking point" against Republicans. The Guardian reported that he named Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for the Senate against Republican Mike Rogers. The paper said the announcement appeared timed to sway voters who are sceptical of US support for Israel and the war in Gaza. Trump also…

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Tuesday, 3 November