By By Shoaib Khan, Chief Journalist
President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will end its $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel, instead shifting to selling arms to the longtime ally — a dramatic reordering of one of America’s most significant security relationships.
The move, which Trump framed as a shift from aid to commerce, would end decades of direct U.S. military assistance to Israel. Under the new arrangement, Israel would purchase American weapons rather than receiving them through aid packages.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through Washington’s foreign policy establishment. U.S. military aid to Israel — roughly $3.8 billion annually under a long-standing memorandum of understanding — has been a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship for generations.
Supporters of the shift argue that Israel, with its advanced economy, can afford to buy weapons outright. Critics warn that ending aid could weaken American leverage and introduce new instability into an already volatile region.
The decision comes amid broader questions about America’s global commitments and Trump’s transactional approach to alliances. Israeli officials have not yet formally responded to the announcement.
As details emerge, the focus will be on the timeline for the transition and what it means for Israel’s qualitative military edge in the Middle East.
Source: Associated Press
