Trump To End $4bn US Annual Aid To Israel By Year-End Says ‘They Don’t Need It’

President Donald Trump has announced plans to end about $4 billion in annual US assistance to Israel by the end of the year, saying the country is economically strong enough to finance its own needs.

Trump made the announcement on Tuesday during an appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends, claiming that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had discussed ending the assistance for several years.

“We were giving them $4 billion – we are – but it gets cut off at the end of the year,” Trump said.

According to the US president, Netanyahu initiated discussions about ending the financial support, arguing that Israel no longer needed the assistance.

“I was approached by Bibi Netanyahu, and we’ve been talking about it for a couple of years because it’s a lot of money,” Trump said.

“He brought it up. He said, ‘I think it would be appropriate if we do not receive aid.’”

Trump described Israel as a thriving country capable of meeting its financial and defence requirements without continued American assistance.

“They don’t need it,” he said. “Israel’s our number one. We give them more than anybody else, and they no longer need it.”

“Israel is a very thriving country,” he added.

The president also questioned why Washington should continue providing billions of dollars in assistance when the funding has become a subject of political controversy in the United States.

He specifically referenced Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who was challenging Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched Senate race.

“Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like an El-Sayed when they don’t need it?” Trump asked.

His comments came on Election Day, as voters cast ballots in contests that would help determine the balance of power in Congress ahead of the final two years of his presidency.

Trump said the assistance covered military equipment and financial support, adding that it could be described as military aid, cash or a form of barter.

“I’m going to put it in any way you want to define it,” he said. “You can consider it barter. You can consider military aid or cash. It’s what we give them — $4 billion of things and money, and they don’t need it.”

Despite the proposed withdrawal of direct assistance, Trump indicated that Israel would retain access to American weapons, saying the country could purchase whatever military equipment it required.

“They can buy whatever they want,” he said.