Donald Trump Says United States Will End Funding for Israel

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington will end billions of dollars in annual security assistance to Israel by the end of the year.

The decision cuts short a 10-year military aid agreement that provided $3.8 billion annually to Israel and was originally scheduled to run until 2028.

The announcement arrived on Tuesday as American voters cast ballots in crucial midterm elections that threaten the Republican Party's control of Congress.

Speaking in an interview on Fox and Friends, said Donald Trump, the president of the United States, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed with the move because his country no longer requires the financial support.

“We've already agreed that by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel,” said Mr. Trump.

“We'll help Israel if they need it,” said Mr. Trump.

Mr. Trump said he and Mr. Netanyahu had discussed the matter for months and that the Israeli leader was understanding about terminating the assistance.

The president also linked the timing to domestic political criticism from Democrats regarding American financial support for foreign allies.

Mr. Trump cited Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat who has opposed unconditional military aid and argued funds should prioritize domestic citizens.

The abrupt announcement drew immediate backlash from Israeli opposition politicians who learned of the shift through media reports.

“The fact that Israel’s defense establishment is learning of a shift in our strategic relationship through the media, at the same time as the Israeli public, shows just how dangerous Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct is,” said Gadi Eisenkot, an Israeli opposition candidate.

“He can no longer be trusted and must be replaced,” said Mr. Eisenkot.

Mr. Netanyahu has previously spoken about reducing reliance on American military assistance over the next decade.

The future of formal successor agreements and the impact on American defense contractors remain unresolved as election results unfold.