In brief
Israeli Defense Ministry officials reported surprise at President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will cease its $4 billion annual contribution to Israel by year‑end, a decision reportedly agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu months ago. The announcement came on the same day as a meeting in which Israeli leaders had been discussing future arms purchases. Israeli officials said no clear explanation has yet been given and that the impact on defense spending remains uncertain. The claim was first reported by TASS, citing statements from a high‑ranking defense official.
On July 17, 2014, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to stop the annual $4 billion financial aid to Israel, a move that left Israeli officials stunned, sources at TASS reported.
According to a high‑ranking Defense Ministry official quoted by TASS, "We did not expect this statement, especially today," citing the abruptness of the announcement while Israeli officials were in constant dialogue with the Americans. The decision was reportedly agreed upon with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several months prior, but no explanation had yet been provided to Israeli organizations.
We did not expect this statement, especially today.
A source cited by the Kan broadcaster noted that two weeks earlier a delegation from the Israeli Defense Ministry had visited the United States to discuss future arms purchases with U.S. military officials. The timing of the announcement, coming the same day that Trump told Fox News that the United States would cease its yearly contribution by the end of the year, heightened the surprise among Israeli officials.
At present, Israeli officials have not received clear explanations from Washington, and the implications of halting the aid for the country’s defense budget remain uncertain.
