Trump Says U.S. Will End Israel Funding as Opposition Seeks to Oust Netanyahu

Donald Trump injected a new element of uncertainty into the U.S.-Israel relationship on Tuesday, saying Washington will stop providing funds to Israel by the end of the year under an agreement he reached months ago with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The announcement came at a moment of political turbulence in Israel, where opposition leaders are already laying the groundwork for a post-Netanyahu government following the election, arguing that voters delivered a mandate for change and that a parliamentary majority exists to quickly form a new coalition.

Speaking to Fox News on U.S. midterm election day, Trump said the decision had been agreed upon in advance with Netanyahu and portrayed it as recognition of Israel’s success rather than a rupture in bilateral ties.

“We made a deal with Benjamin Netanyahu months ago: we will no longer give money to Israel,” Trump said. “By the end of this year, we will stop transferring funds to Israel.” He added that the arrangement was acceptable to Israel because it had become “a successful country,” while stressing that the United States would still help Israel if assistance became necessary.

Trump’s remarks landed as Israel’s opposition intensified efforts to translate election results into a governing majority.

Meeting in Herzliya with Yashar founder Gadi Eisenkot, leaders of parties aligned with the so-called Change Bloc issued a joint declaration pledging immediate action to replace what they described as the “October 7 government” with a national emergency government.

The opposition leaders said they would coordinate plans ahead of the swearing-in of the 26th Knesset and work to establish Israel’s 38th government as quickly as possible. According to the statement, the parties agreed on the need for a Zionist government built around four principles outlined by Eisenkot and expressed confidence that a clear parliamentary majority exists to support the effort.

The statement also framed the election outcome as a decisive rejection of the current administration, saying Israeli voters had spoken “clearly and decisively” in favor of political change and against the continuation of the existing government.

Opposition leaders further accused Netanyahu and his Likud party of conducting what they called a campaign aimed at delegitimizing both the election results and the Central Elections Committee. They vowed to defend the outcome of the vote and safeguard the democratic process as coalition negotiations begin.

Taken together, the developments point to a potentially consequential period for one of the United States’ closest allies. As Trump signals the end of direct U.S. funding under a reported agreement with Netanyahu, the Israeli political system is entering what could be a decisive struggle over who governs next and under what mandate.

(Photo: © AndKronos)