Netanyahu and Trump Shifting Ties From US Military Aid to Strategic Partnership, PMO Says

The Prime Minister's Office said on Friday that it views President Donald Trump's decision to end US aid to Israel by the end of the year as a shift from military assistance to partnership, in its first statement since the announcement.

PMO spokesman Doron Spielman told Fox News that "while the aid has been incredibly important, the prime minister has been working with President Trump to make the correct transition out from aid towards partnership and mutual investment."

Alongside a clip of Spielman's interview posted on X, the PMO said that aid to Israel has "always been a cross-the-aisle agreement."

"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," the PMO wrote.

The statement followed Trump's announcement, made shortly before Tuesday's US midterm elections, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had proposed ending nearly $4 billion in annual American assistance to Israel.

Speaking by telephone with Fox News' Fox & Friends, Trump said the two leaders had reached an understanding several months earlier under which the assistance would end by December 2026. He said Israel would still be able to purchase American weapons and could receive additional assistance if necessary.

The hosts repeatedly asked Trump to clarify whether he meant military aid, direct financial assistance, or weapons deliveries. Trump maintained that the arrangement would come to an end in December, without offering further details.

"Now, as far as paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I have made a deal that we give Israel $4 billion a year, and we made a deal months ago that we're stopping," Trump said.

"We won't be paying Israel anymore," he said, adding that the two sides had already agreed that "by the end of this year we won't be paying Israel."