Trump says $4bn annual US aid to Israel will end after this year

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the $4 billion in aid given to Israel will end after the close of this year.

Speaking on the Fox News programme “Fox & Friends”, Trump said Israel no longer needs the money. He said the agreement had been reached several months ago, but that the United States would help Israel if needed.

Trump alleged that Democrats and left-wing politicians use the aid to criticise Republicans. He named Abdul El-Sayed, a Senate candidate from Michigan, and asked why such people’s criticism should be tolerated when Israel does not need the money. El-Sayed opposes unconditional military aid and says US funds should be spent on the needs of citizens.

According to Reuters, it is unclear which aid Trump was referring to and how it would be stopped. A memorandum of understanding providing Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid every year remains in force until 2028. Talks on aid beyond that are continuing. The White House and Netanyahu’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Congress approved aid to Israel in 2020. However, the Senate and the House of Representatives must pass spending bills every year to release the money.

According to a June survey by Quinnipiac University, 48 per cent of voters and 66 per cent of Democrats believe the United States supports Israel too much. In 2017, the figures were 16 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.