Donald Trump says US will end $4bn in annual military aid to Israel

President Donald Trump disclosed on Tuesday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had brokered an agreement to discontinue US military aid to Israel following the conclusion of the year. In an interview with Fox News, Mr Trump expressed a strong bond with Israel, stating that the decision to cease the $4 billion annual aid had been finalized months ago.

He affirmed that both he and Netanyahu were in agreement regarding the cessation of the aid payments. However, he clarified that Israel would still receive assistance from the US if it required aid. The announcement was made on the day of the US midterm elections, as Trump endeavored to garner support for his Republican Party amidst their historically low public approval ratings.

The midterm elections determine the control of Congress for the ensuing two years of Trump's presidency. Should Democrats take control of the House of Representatives or the Senate, they could impede Trump's legislative agenda and initiate investigations into his administration's actions. Trump's decision to end the military aid came amidst a decline in support for Israel among Democrats and certain factions within his Republican base.

Surveys indicate a marked shift in American public sentiment regarding Israel and the US's stance on the country. Military aid has been under intense scrutiny following the conflict in Gaza, during which over 75,000 individuals lost their lives. Trump connected his decision to criticism from Democrats and left-leaning politicians, specifically targeting Abdul El-Sayed, the Egyptian-American Senate candidate in Michigan.

El-Sayed has labeled Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and advocated for the termination of US military aid. Trump has frequently referred to El-Sayed as a "jihadist lunatic" during the campaign. "Because they don't need it," Trump remarked of discontinuing the aid, adding that Netanyahu had suggested the same.