Trump promotes Stephen Miller to Chief of Staff ‘to run things well’

The sudden halt of U.S. military aid to Israel, announced by President Donald Trump this week, has caused concern among Israelis and raised questions about the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance. The decision came during a politically sensitive period, just after Israeli elections in which neither the ruling coalition nor the opposition secured a majority. Now, both parties are scrambling to form governing coalitions.

While the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, defended the decision, stating that it was in the best interests of the U.S.-Israel relationship and would lead to a stronger partnership based on trade rather than military aid, many Israelis disagree. Retired IDF officer and Yesh Atid lawmaker Moshe Tur-Paz called the move a "major mistake," arguing that cutting military aid is not just a transfer of funds, but essential for Israel's security.

Huckabee explained that the current $3.8 billion annual aid package is mostly spent in the U.S. on weapon components or systems manufactured in American factories, creating American jobs. He noted that the memorandum of understanding between the two countries calls for this level of aid to continue through 2028. Additionally, Huckabee said that transitioning from an aid to a trade relationship could address growing criticism of the expenditure in the U.S.

However, the abruptness of Trump's decision has caused concern in Israel. Former head of Israel's National Security Council, Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Giora Eiland, called it an "unexpected blow" that will cause "a great deal of damage." He also warned that the funding supports joint initiatives, such as advancing laser technology in Israel, and that stopping the aid will force Israel to pay out billions for already-signed defense contracts.

The U.S. aid package, which runs through fiscal 2028, means that Israel will have to find alternative funding sources, which could be problematic. It remains unclear how easy it would be for the White House to stop the funding, given that Trump made the announcement just before Democrats secured control of Congress. As the U.S. and Israel navigate this changing relationship, the future of the U.S.-Israel alliance remains uncertain.