Aid End Date Unclear
Ambassador Mike Huckabee says Washington is seeking clarity on whether US military funding stops immediately or in 2028.
By Jonathan Reed ·
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee told Channel 12 on Thursday that Washington has not decided whether military aid to Israel will cease immediately or continue until the current memorandum of understanding expires in 2028. The uncertainty follows President Donald Trump’s declaration on Tuesday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to end the aid package months earlier. Huckabee stated that both sides are requesting clarification on the timeline.
The current agreement allocates $3.8 billion annually, a figure Huckabee described as small relative to the total US budget. He explained that these funds are spent within the United States on the purchase of defense systems, including Iron Dome components, the David Sling, the Arrow Three missile system, and various aircraft such as F-35s, F-15s, F-16s, and Apache helicopters. Huckabee argued that the new arrangement aims to shift the dynamic from a traditional aid package to a trade relationship.
President Isaac Herzog expressed surprise at the timing of the announcement during a meeting with Yashar party representatives in Jerusalem on Thursday. He stated that he was unaware of any prior agreement to end aid by the end of the year. Herzog noted that the existing memorandum remains in effect for two more years. He emphasized that maintaining strong ties with the US is a primary reason for ensuring Israel forms a government and avoids another election cycle.
Other senior officials in both countries indicated they were taken by surprise by Trump’s statement. Netanyahu, who has not yet publicly commented on the specific timing, has previously suggested phasing out aid over a ten-year period. This contrasts with the immediate termination implied by Trump’s recent remarks.
Huckabee also addressed domestic political dynamics, disagreeing with Vice President JD Vance’s assertion that voter support for Israel contributed to the Republican losses in the midterm elections. Huckabee cited polling data showing that only 19 percent of Republicans view the issue as important, whereas the concern is concentrated among far-left Democrats. He suggested that the Iran war was a more significant factor in the election results.
Regarding the Israeli political landscape, Huckabee said Trump could potentially play a role in helping form a coalition government after last week’s inconclusive election results. While the US embassy officially maintains neutrality, Huckabee acknowledged that Trump might invite Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot to the White House. He added that the decision on renewed military operations against Iran remains undecided, with only the two leaders knowing the likely outcome.
