Trump Announces End of $3.8 Billion Israel Security Aid

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will terminate a 0-year security assistance agreement with Israel, ending $3.8 billion in annual aid by 2028.

The agreement, which began in 2019, was signed under former President Barack Obama. Trump stated that Israel was 'fine' with ending the assistance.

In an interview, Trump said the U.S. would continue to support Israel if needed, but claimed the country 'no longer needs it.' He also mentioned that he had agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut the aid.

The aid package covered the purchase of approximately $3.8 billion in weapons annually. Israel has received over $300 billion in U.S. economic and military assistance since 1948, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Netanyahu has previously expressed a desire to reduce Israel's dependence on U.S. support. In June, he called for increased military autonomy, and in May, he stated his goal was to reach 'zero' reliance on Washington.

Israeli opposition candidate Gadi Eisenkot criticized the decision, arguing it exposed the dangers of Netanyahu's leadership and called for his resignation.

Trump also cited attacks by Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a Senate candidate running in the midterms, as part of his reasoning for ending the aid.