'We won't be paying Israel': Trump says $4 billion funding to stop end of the year
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will cease $4 billion in annual funding to Israel after 2026, claiming the country no longer requires the financial support. Trump stated the decision was reached in agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Why it matters
This represents a major shift in U.S. foreign policy and military aid commitments to a key strategic ally.
US president Donald Trump on Tuesday said Washington will stop providing $4 billion in annual funding to Israel after the end of 2026, claiming the country no longer needs American financial support.Speaking to Fox News Trump said he had reached an agreement with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu months ago to end the payments. “We've already agreed that by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel,” he said, adding that the US would still help if Israel needed it.He said Netanyahu had approached him about ending the assistance and had been “very understanding” of the decision.The announcement appears to conflict with the existing US-Israel memorandum of understanding, which provides $3.8 billion in annual military aid and runs until 2028. The agreement requires Congress to pass annual appropriations bills to release the funds.“You can consider it barter. You can consider military aid or cash,” he said.
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