Political Correspondent Sraya Harush said today (Tuesday) that President Donald Trump’s announcement ending American aid to Israel reflects deeper strategic cooperation, not a crisis between the countries. “This event actually shows much deeper strategic cooperation,” our political correspondent said, adding that Israel will no longer be the country that the U.S. transfers money to. Instead, the two countries will invest together and develop capabilities for both their militaries.
1+The comments came after Trump announced in a phone interview on “Fox & Friends” on Fox News, on midterm election morning, that annual aid to Israel will end at year’s end. “Netanyahu and I agreed that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we agreed a few months ago that we’re stopping,” the American president said. He later noted that Netanyahu raised the idea, and that Israel has become a prosperous country that doesn’t need the money. Trump emphasized that Israel will be able to continue purchasing American weapons, and that the U.S. will help if needed.
According to Harush, Trump carefully chose the timing of the announcement. The president himself reacted with surprise when Netanyahu raised the idea of weaning completely off aid within a decade. Our political correspondent added that the announcement gives Trump a political gain, and that it’s a kind of payback from Netanyahu to the president, who endorsed him ahead of Israel’s elections. He also said Trump wants to reassure the American public and show them their money is coming back to them. This is because Israel is a successful country with plenty of money and many businesses, and therefore doesn’t need the aid.
1+Harush also noted the move is designed to counter the antisemitic campaign in America. This campaign claims that because of Israel, Trump is dragged into various moves, and that American taxpayer money is funding the war in Gaza. “This event is ultimately designed to energize the American voter,” our political correspondent said. He added that what matters to voters is the economy, and Trump is telling them their money is coming back.