Trump announces reduction in aid to Israel
The US will reduce its annual $3.8 billion in aid to Israel and Israeli security efforts, according to US President Donald Trump.
The announcement was made during an interview with the American television network Fox News.
The decision is set to take effect at the turn of the year. The reason, according to Fox News, is that Israel no longer requires financial assistance, as the country is now capable of purchasing weapons with its own funds.
However, Trump has not closed the door on future aid to Israel, should it become necessary.
"We will help Israel if they need [help]," Trump stated in the interview.
According to the President, the Israeli government is in agreement with the US regarding the termination of the aid.
The announcement has prompted Israeli opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to call for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down:
"The fact that Israel’s defense establishment learns through the media—at the same time as the Israeli public—that our strategic relationship [with the US] is changing, demonstrates just how dangerous Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions are. He can no longer be trusted, and he must be replaced," Eisenkot wrote in a statement.
The financial aid from the US to Israel—amounting to approximately 37 billion Swedish kronor—was established during Barack Obama’s presidency as part of a memorandum of understanding. The agreement was formally intended to span ten years, meaning it would have remained in effect through 2028.
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