President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would end the bulk of its aid to Israel at the end of the year, describing the move as part of an agreement reached months ago with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Trump said the aid amounted to $4 billion.
Trump said the United States would continue selling weapons to Israel, but that Israel would pay for them. He framed the announcement mainly as a way to remove what he called a “bad talking point” for the left wing of the Democratic Party, adding that Israel did not need the aid.
Netanyahu has spoken in recent months about moving away from U.S. aid, but has not announced a timetable. His office did not immediately comment on Trump’s statement.
The change could also reduce the role of Congress in debates over U.S. support for Israel. The source report noted that aid has increasingly been used by lawmakers as leverage to press the Israeli government, while arms sales could follow a different process. Congressional oversight, however, would remain.
Trump made the announcement on Election Day in the United States. The statement may also arise as Netanyahu seeks to form a government after an inconclusive election in Israel the previous week.
Sources: The New York Times Politics.