U.S. President Trump stated on Tuesday that the United States will stop providing Israel with $4 billion in aid by the end of this year, as “they no longer need this money.”
Trump said in an interview with Fox News on the morning of the election day that U.S. aid to Israel has become a powerful political issue for Democrats. He questioned why Republicans still have to endure harsh criticism from candidates for Democratic senators in Michigan, such as Abdul El-Sayed, when Israel no longer needs assistance.
Trump said, "This is a political issue that is unfavorable to us. When you ask 'Why not provide $4 billion to everyone?', Israel is our top recipient. We give them more money than any other country, and they no longer need that money."
According to a memorandum of understanding that will be implemented in 2018 and lasts for 10 years, the United States provides Israel with $3.8 billion in military assistance each year. The agreement was originally scheduled to expire in 2028. Trump's statements suggest that he intends to terminate this agreement ahead of the end of this year.
Trump said that he would continue to provide assistance if Israel still needed the money. However, he added that he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
