US President Donald Trump has announced plans to end Washington’s $3.8 billion annual military assistance to Israel, bringing an end to a long-standing security arrangement that is scheduled to run until 2028.
Trump made the announcement on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during an interview on the US current affairs programme Fox and Friends, saying he had reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discontinue the assistance.
According to Trump, Israel no longer needs the financial support, although the US would remain willing to provide assistance if the country faces military difficulties.
The military assistance is provided under a 10-year security agreement signed in 2016 by the administration of former US President Barack Obama. The arrangement, which commenced in 2019, provides Israel with approximately $3.8 billion annually for the purchase of American military equipment and weapons.
Under the agreement, the funding was expected to continue through 2028.
Israel has received more than $300 billion in US economic and military assistance since its establishment in 1948, adjusted for inflation, according to figures from the Council on Foreign Relations. This makes it the largest cumulative recipient of American assistance since 1946.
Trump Cites Growing Domestic Opposition to Israel Aid
Trump also pointed to growing criticism of American support for Israel within the United States as part of his reasoning for ending the arrangement.
He specifically referenced Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate running for the US Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, who has attracted support by tapping into public discontent and opposition to American backing for Israel.
“Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like an El-Sayed when they don’t need it?” Trump said, referring to Israel and the military assistance.
The announcement signals a potential shift in the long-standing US-Israel security relationship, although Trump indicated that Washington could still provide military support if Israel faces a future threat.
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