Trump Says Israel’s $4 Billion in U.S. Aid Ends by Year’s End, Credits Netanyahu for Idea

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the roughly $4 billion a year in U.S. aid to Israel will end at the close of this year, arguing that the Jewish state no longer needs the money.

“We were giving them $4 billion – we are – but it gets cut off at the end of the year,” Trump told “Fox & Friends” in a phone interview as voters headed to the polls for the midterm elections.

“They don’t need it,” Trump said. “Israel is a very thriving country.” He said Israel would still be able to buy American weapons.

Trump said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a deal months ago. “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,” he said, Israel Hayom reported.

Trump said Netanyahu raised the idea himself, quoting the prime minister as saying, “I think it would be appropriate if we do not receive aid,” according to The Jerusalem Post.

The hosts pressed him on what would be cut. Trump said the $4 billion covers “things and money” and that it could be considered “barter,” military aid or cash.

“If they did need it, I would say keep it going,” Trump said. He added that the U.S. would still “help Israel if they need it” and called the country a great ally.

A midterm talking point taken off the table

Trump openly tied the move to the elections. The topic came up after a host asked about Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan, who has made U.S. aid to Israel a campaign issue.

“Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like an El-Sayed when they don’t need it?” Trump said. El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in one of the races that could decide control of the Senate.

Asked whether he was taking away a Democratic talking point, Trump agreed. “The left uses the $4 billion payment that everybody knows about, it’s no secret, as a signal of unfairness, and we can’t allow that to happen,” he said.

The current U.S.-Israel security agreement, signed in 2016, provides about $3.8 billion a year through 2028. That includes $3.3 billion in foreign military financing and $500 million for missile defense.

Trump did not say how the change would square with the existing agreement. Aid under that agreement is funded each year by Congress.

There was no immediate official confirmation from the Israeli government. Netanyahu has said in the past that he wants Israel to phase out its reliance on U.S. military aid but has not laid out a timeline.

In the same interview, Trump said U.S. forces had carried out what he called “just a minor attack” Monday night on an Iranian air-defense site. “It wasn’t war,” he said.

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