Trump announces end to US aid to Israel by 2026
President Donald Trump announced he agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end annual US aid to Israel by the end of 2026, raising concerns about defense readiness and budget impacts.
The Democratic wave in the US midterm elections could put Israel in a complex security and diplomatic reality. Democrats gained control of both houses of Congress, giving them new tools to influence the administration's foreign and security policy. On election day, President Trump announced in a Fox News interview that he had agreed with Prime Minister Netanyahu to end annual US aid to Israel by the end of 2026. Trump claimed the initiative came from Netanyahu and that Israel no longer needs aid at its current level. The announcement raises questions, as the existing security memorandum of understanding sets an aid framework of about $3.8 billion per year through 2028. Meanwhile, the war with Iran that began in late February has lasted longer than initial assessments, and its economic effects have made it a central election issue. In a Fox News poll, 60% of respondents believed the decision to take military action against Iran was wrong. The article analyzes the options facing Trump and the implications for Israel, including the need to prepare for a more complex relationship with Washington.