United States President Donald Trump announced that Washington will stop its annual financial

Donald Trump Pledges to Cut 4 miliar dolar AS in Aid to Israel

United States President Donald Trump announced that Washington will stop its annual financial assistance to Israel by the end of the year, stating during a Fox News interview that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed the country no longer requires the funds, as CNN Indonesia reported. “Sekarang, terkait pembayaran kepada Israel, Bibi Netanyahu dan saya telah membuat kesepakatan bahwa kami memberi Israel US$4 miliar (Rp63,2 triliun) per tahun, dan kami membuat kesepakatan beberapa bulan lalu bahwa kami akan menghentikannya,” ucap Trump. Kami sudah sepakat bahwa pada akhir tahun ini kami tidak akan membayar Israel. Sekarang kami akan membantu Israel jika mereka membutuhkannya, tambah Trump. Trump juga menyampaikan bahwa Perdana Menteri Benjamin Netanyahu yang mengangkat masalah tersebut dan berkata bahwa dirinya berpikir akan tepat jika mereka tidak menerima bantuan. Trump mengeklaim tingkat kepuasan publik Israel terhadap dirinya mencapai 99 persen, serta menyatakan bahwa ia akan pindah ke Israel dan menjadi perdana menteri di sana jika warga AS sudah muak dengannya. Berdasarkan hasil pemilu paruh waktu yang bertepatan dengan penyataan tersebut pada Selasa (3/11), Trump dan Partai Republik kalah dari Partai Demokrat, sehingga kehilangan kendali atas Kongres AS.

Washington allocated billions in military aid since 1948

The planned termination targets an annual allocation of 4 miliar dolar AS. Dari tahun 1948 hingga Mei 2025, Washington telah memberikan bantuan militer kepada Tel Aviv sekitar 174 miliar dolar AS berdasarkan perjanjian kerja sama yang ditandatangani selama pemerintahan Presiden Barack Obama. Additional reporting from ANTARA notes that the memorandum of understanding on Israel aid for the 2019-2028 fiscal years signed in 2016 under Obama committed Washington to providing 3,3 miliar dolar AS in security assistance alongside 500 juta dolar AS for missile defense cooperation.

Documents reported by The Wall Street Journal and cited by Vietnam.vn indicate that Israel has simultaneously spent more than 10 miliar dolar AS above its allocated military aid budget. That spending gap highlights the financial pressures facing the defense sector despite ongoing bilateral security packages.

Israeli defense officials reacted with surprise to remarks

Trump’s remarks aired on Tuesday, November 3, coinciding with the United States midterm elections where the Republican Party lost control of Congress. ANTARA reported that Israeli defense and military officials were caught entirely off guard by the announcement, noting that security agencies are still studying the operational consequences of ending the funding mechanism. A defense official stated: Kami sama sekali tak menyangka akan pernyataan tersebut. Kami terus menjalin dialog rutin dengan pihak AS, dan bisa dikatakan kami terkejut, adding that Kami masih mempelajari konsekuensi dari keputusan tersebut yang belum disampaikan kepada organisasi terkait hingga kini.

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Domestically, the financial support package has fueled sharp political divisions. Trump told Fox News that Democratic politicians and left-wing groups routinely weaponize the aid to attack Republicans, citing Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as an example of growing opposition, according to Aljazeera. The issue of military aid to Israel has remained highly controversial in Congress and among the American public, particularly in light of military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Analysts project termination faces delays from active programs

While Trump stated that payments will cease at the end of the year, policy analysts suggest actual termination depends heavily on existing legislative frameworks. Thomas Warrick, director of the Future of DHS Project at the Atlantic Council, projected that cutting military support will face delays because both nations maintain active joint programs covering missile defense and anti-drone technology, as reported by Aljazeera.

Congress continues to evaluate defense authorization measures that emphasize joint technology development over direct monetary transfers. However, defense experts warn that shifting away from established funding streams could strain Israeli defense procurement schedules, particularly regarding ongoing acquisition plans for advanced tactical aircraft.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Aid Termination

What specific type of funding does the cancellation affect?

Trump did not break down whether the halt applies strictly to military aid or encompasses broader financial assistance programs, according to reporting by Aljazeera.

How much cumulative aid has Israel received historically from Washington?

Vietnam.vn reported that the United States provided approximately 174 miliar dolar AS in military assistance to Tel Aviv from 1948 through May 2025.

What was the reaction of Israeli defense officials to the announcement?

ANTARA reported that military and defense authorities in Tel Aviv expressed complete surprise at the decision and began reviewing the potential impact on bilateral security arrangements.

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