U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration plans to terminate the billions of dollars in annual military assistance that the United States provides to Israel.
The proposed cessation would end a long‑standing aid program that has supplied Israel with advanced weaponry, missile‑defence systems and other defense equipment under a series of congressional appropriations and bilateral agreements dating back to the 1970s.
Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign military financing, receiving roughly $3.8 billion each year under the most recent 10‑year memorandum of understanding signed in 2016.
Trump’s statement marks a significant shift in the U.S.–Israel defence partnership, which has been described by officials as a cornerstone of American policy in the Middle East and a key element of regional security strategy.
The announcement has prompted reactions from both sides of the Atlantic, with U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials indicating they will assess the implications for ongoing joint projects and regional stability.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>