Israel aims to finalize phasing out of US military aid before new Congress takes office: report

Israel aims to quickly finalize a reduction in U.S. military aid under a framework that would see aid halved and phased out within five years — rather than 10 — in an effort to reach an agreement before the new U.S. Congress takes office in January, Ynet News reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump shocked Israeli officials last week when he said U.S. military aid would be cut off at the end of 2026. The announcement came in an apparent attempt to shore up support for struggling Republican candidates ahead of the midterms.

Trump’s party nevertheless suffered a devastating loss. In an interview published on Monday by CBS program "60 Minutes," Trump said voters “didn't like the war. They didn't like the fact that gasoline went up. ... And there's a great dislike, incredibly, for Israel.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance also blamed Republican Party losses in the midterm elections on the Iran war, adding that voters want the United States to “change our relationship with Israel.”

Following Trump's announcement, U.S. and Israeli officials are working to finalize a new security memorandum of understanding (MOU) before the current Congress leaves office, although the incoming Congress could still delay or obstruct military assistance in the coming years.

According to Ynet, the military aid package is not expected to end this year, as Trump said, but rather to be roughly cut in half by shortening the agreement from 10 years to five years after 2028. Once that period ends, the current framework is scheduled to end and be replaced by new agreements focusing on projects like joint air and missile defense development.

A senior official told Ynet, “We are moving here from a model of aid to a model of partnership.”

Noting that some Congress members are opposed to cutting the aid since it is mainly spent on orders for equipment from industries based in their states, the official explained, “It is important to remember that most of the security assistance remains in America and contributes to the American economy. Cutting it would also hurt American industries and require adjustments.”

Another official told Ynet that the Israeli defense establishment was stunned by Trump’s sudden announcement but estimated it was more of a campaign move than a new policy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment on Trump’s statement for almost a week. Then, his office stated, “U.S. military aid to Israel has always been a cross-the-aisle agreement. Israel has used it both to defend itself and to confront enemies who threaten America and the West.”

“Today, Israel has a strong and stable economy. The move by PM Netanyahu and President Trump from aid to partnership shows the strength and sophistication of our relationship, and its ability to adapt and stand strong over time.”

U.S. officials have hinted that the composition of Israel’s next government could affect U.S. congressional support for continued cooperation.

On Monday, Trump commented for the first time about Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot receiving the mandate to form Israel's next government.

Trump said Netanyahu, whom he publicly endorsed, and Eisenkot “are very similar in their policies and positions. He said very nice things about me, that he likes me. They both support what I'm doing. We'll see what happens.”

The current U.S.-Israel military aid agreement expires in 2028 and includes $3.3 billion annually in foreign military financing for 10 years. The emerging agreement would continue this annual level for five more years, before direct military assistance ends.

Under the current framework, an additional $500 million is allocated annually for joint missile-defense cooperation, which is expected to expand in the future to advance joint research, development, and the production of defense systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.