Israel's president shocked by Trump's announcement regarding the cessation of military aid

Israeli President Isaac Herzog warned that Donald Trump’s decision to halt U.S. aid to Israel is causing concern and called for a government to be formed to avoid new elections. The statement was made during a meeting with the Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main political rival.

Trump announced that financial and military support for Israel would be halted this year, two years before the memorandum of understanding between the two countries expires. The agreement provides for annual aid of $3.8 billion to purchase American weapons. The U.S. president said that Israel no longer needs this support, without providing further details.

Herzog stressed that the agreement should remain in force until 2028 and that U.S. aid represents one of Israel’s main strategic objectives. Prime Minister Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the announcement.

U.S. Ambassador to Tel Aviv Mike Huckabee said he was trying to obtain clarification regarding the consequences of the decision. He defended the partnership with Israel and rejected Vice President JD Vance’s claim that the bilateral relationship had affected the Republicans’ results in the midterm elections.