President Donald Trump has said the United States will stop sending funding packages to Israel by the end of the year after making a deal with the embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "As far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping," Trump told Fox News' Fox and Friends, referring to the Israeli prime minister by his nickname. Trump added that he had "already agreed that by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel," but said the U.S. would assist the country if needed.
Trump did not specify the type of funding that the U.S. could continue providing. The U.S. currently provides Israel with roughly $3.8 billion in military aid each year, but the memorandum of understanding outlining this commitment is due to lapse in 2028. Netanyahu said earlier this year he hoped to wean Israel off U.S. military aid entirely, but said the process would likely happen over a decade.
The move could curb growing criticism of Israel in Washington D.C. at a moment when Israel's economy is gaining strength, while lessening American control over future Israeli military operations. This is a breaking story.
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