Trump says US will freeze $4 billion in annual funding to Israel by year’s end, Netanyahu deal says | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Nov 4th) that Washington would stop providing $4 billion in annual funding to Israel after the end of this year, claiming he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the financial aid.
Trump said Israel no longer needed the money, arguing that continued US funding had become a political talking point for Democrats and left-wing politicians critical of Republicans.
“Now, in terms of paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I made an agreement to give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made an agreement months ago that we’re stopping,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News Fox & Friends.
“We have already agreed that we will not pay Israel until the end of this year. Now we will help Israel if it needs it,” he added.
Trump also hinted that Israel could continue to buy US military equipment.
“They can buy what they want. They can buy what they want. Europe too. We make the biggest weapons in the world,” he said.
Netanyahu’s office did not immediately comment on Trump’s remarks.
Why is Trump stopping US funding to Israel?
Explaining the decision, Trump said Israel was no longer seeking financial aid and argued that the funds were being used by political opponents to question the fairness of US support for the country.
“The left is using the $4 billion payment that everybody knows about, it’s no secret, as a signal of injustice, and we can’t allow that,” Trump said.
“We were giving them 4 billion, we are giving it, but it will be stopped at the end of the year. Why? Because they don’t need it,” he added.
Trump’s remarks come amid growing debate over Washington’s financial and military support for Israel, especially after the Gaza war that began in 2023.
What is the current US military aid agreement with Israel?
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the US currently provides $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel. The deal is set to expire in 2028, with discussions already underway about how Washington’s aid to Israel might evolve after that date.
Trump’s reference to $4 billion does not exactly match the $3.8 billion annual military aid commitment under the existing memorandum of understanding.
Trump indicated that Washington could still help Israel if needed.
