‘Like a bolt from the blue’: Israel’s president shocked by Trump announcing end of aid

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed shock upon learning that President Donald Trump would terminate US aid to Israel, describing the news as "like a bolt from the blue." This abrupt announcement came during the day of the US midterm elections, leaving Herzog and his government in a challenging position. The United States had provided Israel with $3.8 billion annually as part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) set to last until 2028.

Trump's decision to end the aid two years early was made in a phone interview with Fox News, without offering many details. Israeli Ambassador to the US Mike Huckabee defended the aid, emphasizing the importance of the relationship and questioning why Israel should no longer benefit from substantial financial support. Trump's announcement has created a significant challenge for Herzog, who must now decide who will form the next government.

The Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, currently holds a majority in the incoming Knesset, but the path to forming a government is complex due to the distribution of seats among various parties. Herzog has 28 days to negotiate with other parties for cabinet posts, budgets, and policies to form a coalition government. If he fails, the mandate will pass to another candidate, and if this also fails, Israel will hold new elections.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu, the former prime minister, is challenging the election results, claiming they were "stolen" and refusing to recognize the new Knesset speaker.