Trump Announces U.S. Will Stop $4 Billion Annual Aid to Israel by End of 2026

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will end its roughly $4 billion in annual funding to Israel by the close of this year under an agreement he reached months ago with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking by phone on Fox News’ Fox & Friends as Americans voted in the midterm elections, Trump stated that the two leaders had decided to halt the payments because Israel “doesn’t need it” and to remove what he described as a damaging political talking point used by critics.

“Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we’re stopping,” Trump said. “We’ve already agreed that by the end of this year we won’t be paying Israel. Now, we’ll help Israel if they need it.”

Trump added that Netanyahu had raised the idea himself, saying the Israeli leader told him it would be “appropriate” not to receive the aid given domestic political controversy in the United States. He specifically referenced criticism from Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and others on the left, calling continued payments “a bad talking point”.

The announcement immediately raised questions about implementation. The current U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, which provides about $3.8 billion annually in military assistance, does not expire until 2028. U.S. military aid to Israel is appropriated by Congress, and experts noted that abrupt termination of ongoing programs—particularly in missile defense and counter-drone systems—would face legal and logistical hurdles. Trump has not detailed the precise mechanism or timeline for ending the funding.

There was no immediate confirmation from Netanyahu’s office or Israel’s foreign ministry. Israeli defense and financial officials were reportedly caught off guard by the public statement. The U.S. State Department did not respond to requests for comment.

The move comes amid declining American public support for unconditional aid to Israel since the war in Gaza that began in 2023. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that nearly half of U.S. voters overall, and two-thirds of Democrats, believe the United States is too supportive of Israel. Aid to Israel has also become a point of contention within the Republican Party, drawing criticism from some isolationist and “America First” voices.

Trump framed the decision as consistent with a strong alliance, emphasising that the U.S. would continue to support Israel “if they need it” and that Israel remains a key partner. He noted that Israel could still purchase American weapons.

Analysts described the timing—on Election Day—as potentially aimed at neutralising attacks from both progressive Democrats and some within the MAGA coalition. Former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X that the announcement was unlikely to change midterm results, while others questioned whether the pledge would hold after the election.

The development marks a significant rhetorical shift in a relationship that has included steady U.S. military financing for decades. Whether the stated cutoff materialises by the end of 2026, and in what form, remains unclear pending further details from the White House and any formal agreement with Israel.

References

Al Jazeera. (2026, November 3). Trump says US will stop giving Israel aid after year-end. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/3/trump-announces-that-us-will-stop-paying-israel-after-year-end

Debusmann, B., Jr. (2026, November 3). Trump says US ‘won’t be paying Israel’ by end of year. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmx2dlx86n9yo

Reuters. (2026, November 3). Trump says US will stop $4 billion in funding to Israel at end of 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-us-will-stop-paying-israel-after-year-end-2026-11-03/

Times of Israel. (2026, November 3). Trump says US to end $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel by end of 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-says-us-to-end-4-billion-in-annual-military-aid-to-israel-by-end-of-2026/