President Donald Trump said on Nov. 3 that the United States would stop providing Israel with about $3.8 billion in annual military assistance after this year but would continue selling it weapons. Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the change months ago and argued that Israel no longer needed the money. He also said the aid had become a political target for Democrats during midterm-election campaigning [japantoday.com][theguardian.com][france24.com]. The timing and mechanism of the cutoff remain unclear. The existing 10-year U.S.-Israel memorandum of understanding provides $3.8 billion a year through September 2028, and Congress must appropriate funds annually. Trump did not explain how his proposed year-end cutoff would address those commitments. Netanyahu’s earlier public comments described phasing out aid over a longer period [ft.com][japantoday.com][rte.ie]. Israeli opposition figures said their country’s defense establishment had received no advance notice, while Trump said Israel could still buy U.S. arms and receive help if needed. Neither the White House nor Netanyahu’s office had publicly detailed an implementation plan, according to the reports [theguardian.com][dw.com][cyprus-mail.com]. Highlights: • Poll shift: A June Quinnipiac poll found that 48% of U.S. voters and 66% of Democrats said the United States was too supportive of Israel, compared with 16% and 20%, respectively, in 2017 [japantoday.com][dw.com]. • Implementation question: It was unclear whether the president could unilaterally halt funding already appropriated by Congress; any attempt to cancel those appropriations could face restrictions [ft.com]. • Defense cooperation: A provision in the House-passed 2027 defense bill would deepen U.S.-Israel cooperation on weapons and technology, while dozens of nongovernmental organizations urged lawmakers to drop it [cyprus-mail.com][japantoday.com]. Perspectives: Gadi Eisenkot, Israeli opposition leader: Eisenkot said Netanyahu could no longer be trusted and called for him to be replaced [theguardian.com]. (The Guardian) Yair Golan, head of Israel’s Democrats opposition party: Golan argued that ending aid while Israel needs to replenish weapons and air defenses would shift the security costs onto Israeli citizens [rediff.com]. (Rediff) Matt Duss, vice president of the Centre for International Policy: Duss warned that assistance might be recast as joint projects in the defense budget, which he said could mean less congressional oversight rather than a real reduction in U.S. spending [thenationalnews.com]. (The National) American Israel Public Affairs Committee: AIPAC said it supported discussions on a new U.S.-Israel memorandum of understanding to strengthen the partnership [thenationalnews.com]. (The National) "The fact that the security establishment, along with Israeli citizens, is learning about a change in the strategic relationship framework through the media highlights just how much Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct poses a genuine danger." — Gadi Eisenkot, Israeli opposition leader Sources: • US to halt $4 billion in annual aid to Israel, but continue arms sales, Trump says - firstpost.com • Trump announces halt to $4 bn in aid to Israel on midterm election day - rt-english.com • Trump says U.S. will stop $4 billion in aid to Israel - japantoday.com • Trump claims US will end military aid to Israel by end of this year - theguardian.com • US to cut nearly $4 billion in Israel military aid, Trump says - dw.com • Trump says US military aid to Israel will be 'cut off at the end of the year' - lemonde.fr • Trump Says US Will Stop Giving $4B in Military Aid to Israel by Year’s End - algemeiner.com • Trump says US will stop $4 billion military aid to Israel at end of 2026 - alarabiya.net • Donald Trump says US will end $4bn in annual military aid to Israel - thenationalnews.com • Trump Says U.S. to End $4 Billion in Aid to Israel at End of Year - nytimes.com • Trump says US will halt $4 billion in aid to Israel at the end of the year - france24.com • Trump says US will end military aid to Israel by end of the year - ft.com • Donald Trump says US will end $4bn annual aid to Israel by end of year - thenational.scot • As Americans vote, Trump says US will stop $4 billion in aid to Israel - cyprus-mail.com • Trump explains why US stopping $4 billion military aid to Israel - thenews.com.pk • Trump says US ending $4 billion in annual aid for Israel - rte.ie • Trump says U.S. will halt $4 billion in annual aid to Israel in 2027 - nbcnewyork.com • US will end $4 bn annual aid to Israel, says Trump - rediff.com • Trump says U.S. cutting $3.8 billion annual security assistance to Israel - thehindu.com • Trump says US ending $3.8 bn in annual aid for Israel - al-monitor.com • Trump axes US$3.8b annual military aid for Israel: ‘they no longer need it’ - scmp.com • Trump says US cutting $3.8 billion annual security assistance to Israel - naharnet.com • Trump says US ending $3.8 bil. in annual aid for Israel - koreatimes.co.kr • Trump announces end of $3.8 billion annual security assistance to Israel - lemonde.fr • Trump cuts Israeli military aid: $3.8 billion in security assistance slashed - france24.com • Trump met un terme à l'aide militaire annuelle de 3,8 milliards versée à Israël - blick.ch • Trump anuncia un recorte anual de 3.800 millones de dólares en ayuda a Israel - elconquistadorconcepcion.cl --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News