Netanyahu's Office Responds to Trump Aid Remarks in English

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement in English on Friday responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about halting aid to Israel. The statement, released three days after Trump's interview with Fox News, emphasized a shift from aid to partnership between the two nations but did not specify a date for ending the assistance or deny the U.S. president's claims.

In the statement, translated to Hebrew, the Prime Minister's office said, "U.S. military aid to Israel has always been bipartisan. Israel has used it both to defend itself and to confront enemies who threaten America and the West." It continued, "Today, Israel has a strong and stable economy. The transition by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump from aid to partnership illustrates the strength and sophistication of our relationship, and their ability to adapt and stand the test of time."

Trump had stated in his Fox News interview that the U.S. administration would cease aid payments to Israel, saying, "We will stop the payments." He claimed to have reached an agreement months prior with Netanyahu regarding annual payments of $4 billion. Trump asserted that Israel no longer needs the money due to its success and that aid would be cut off by the end of the year, though he added, "We will help them if they need it. Israel is a very good ally, the best."

Netanyahu had previously suggested a gradual phasing out of aid over a decade. The agreement Trump referenced was signed under President Obama for ten years, totaling $3.8 billion annually, and was set to conclude in 2028, not 2026. The Israeli Ministry of Finance was unaware of any immediate plans to cancel security assistance until Trump's declaration, as the aid was a significant planned component of the defense budget for 2027 and 2028.

The reference to the use of American aid in the Prime Minister's office's statement comes amid criticism in the United States regarding its provision to Israel. Trump's comments were made two days after the U.S. midterm elections, in which the Republican Party suffered losses.