Trump Announces Termination of $4 Billion Annual Aid to Israel

President Donald Trump announced on November 3, 2026, that the United States will terminate approximately $4 billion in annual military assistance to Israel by the end of the year. Speaking on Fox News during the U.S. midterm elections, Trump claimed he reached this agreement months ago with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that Israel is a thriving country that no longer requires financial support. Trump characterized the aid as a political liability and a bad talking point for Democratic candidates, specifically citing the election of Senator Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.

The decision contradicts a 2016 memorandum of understanding that pledged $3.8 billion annually through 2028. While Trump indicated the U.S. would continue selling weapons to Israel, a United States Department of State document revealed a potential $10 billion funding gap for outstanding Israeli weapons orders beyond 2028, complicating an abrupt cutoff.

In Israel, the announcement triggered a political crisis. Opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan accused Netanyahu of endangering national security and failing to be transparent with the defense establishment. The turmoil coincides with a government stalemate following an inconclusive election, leaving President Isaac Herzog to determine who will form the next government. Meanwhile, the U.S. shifted its broader regional policy, with Ambassador Thomas Barrack declaring the U.S. is no longer the world's security guarantor. This shift occurred alongside limited U.S. strikes on Iran's Qeshem Island and the Strait of Hormuz, prompting warnings from Iranian officials that Tehran is prepared for battle.