Trump says US will end $4B annual aid to Israel by year-end

United States President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, that Washington will halt its annual financial and military assistance to Israel by the close of the year. Speaking during a morning telephone interview on Fox News, Trump stated that the decision follows an agreement reached months prior with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The policy shift arrives as voters head to the polls for the US midterm elections, bringing an unexpected development to world coverage of American foreign policy in the Middle East.

According to Turkiyetoday, Trump maintained that Israel has grown into a thriving, successful country that no longer requires the funds. ABC News reported the president's rationale that Republicans frequently suffer the slings from Democratic candidates over the financial support. Trump explicitly referenced Michigan progressive Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, criticizing politicians on the left who weaponise the funding as a campaign talking point against conservatives, as detailed by NBC News and NewsChannel 10.

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Trump says $4B yearly Israel aid ends this year under Netanyahu deal - Türkiye Today

Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping, Trump said, as cited by The Independent and Idaho Statesman. We've already agreed that by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel. Now we'll help Israel if they need it.

The announcement triggered immediate market movements. The Guardian reported that Brent crude slid by 3% to approximately $101 per barrel, marking its lowest point in over three weeks. Energy traders and investors interpreted the move as an indicator that ongoing conflicts involving Iran might de-escalate without broader regional widening. The financial drop compounded oil's downward trend following earlier statements regarding military engagements in the Middle East.

Reactions from political figures were mixed and immediate. Writing for Al Jazeera from the White House, Kimberly Halkett described the declaration as a textbook November surprise designed to blunt domestic criticism from both progressive Democrats and isolationist elements within the Make America Great Again movement. However, Al Jazeera noted that the White House and the US Department of State did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while an Israeli spokesperson stated they were unaware of the remarks and would check for details.

Domestic political opponents in Israel sharply criticized the announcement. As reported by NBC News, Yair Golan, head of the left-wing Democrats party, warned that cutting off American aid deals a severe blow to national security and living standards at a time when defense expenditures have reached historic highs and offensive stockpiles require replenishment following protracted conflicts.

Questions remain regarding the legal and mechanical execution of the policy. As highlighted by Al Jazeera and Fox News, foreign assistance is formally appropriated by Congress through annual spending legislation. An existing memorandum of understanding guarantees $3.8 billion annually through 2028, and The Media Line noted that the current agreement mandates the majority of funds be spent on weapons manufactured domestically within the United States.

Public sentiment in the United States has shifted significantly over recent years. Polling from Quinnipiac University cited by Al Jazeera, BBC, and The Independent indicates that nearly half of all voters, and roughly two-thirds of Democrats, believe Washington provides excessive support to Israel, marking a stark departure from historical bipartisan consensus.

What happens next depends on congressional response and official confirmations from Jerusalem. Observers will monitor whether the White House formally submits rescission requests to lawmakers, how the Israeli government addresses the drawdown timeline previously discussed by Netanyahu in CBS and domestic media interviews, and whether legislative battles emerge when Congress reviews upcoming appropriations bills.