'Netanyahu proposed it, we agreed after months of talks'

Move seen as bid to neutralize criticism from Democratic left

Trump stresses Israel can still buy US weapons

Says Canada trade deal coming 'very soon'

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday (local time) he would end $4 billion in annual aid to Israel, a move he framed as a way to blunt criticism from the left. [AP]
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday (local time) he would end $4 billion in annual aid to Israel, a move he framed as a way to blunt criticism from the left. [AP]

US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday (local time) that he would end $4 billion in annual aid to Israel by the end of this year.

Speaking in a phone interview with Fox News on the day of the midterm elections, Trump said, "We're giving Israel $4 billion, but that will end at the end of the year," adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had first proposed cutting the aid.

Trump said the two leaders had agreed to end the assistance after months of discussions. "Israel has become a very prosperous country and no longer needs the money," he said.

Trump said the decision was aimed at eliminating grounds for criticism of Israel aid that has been growing among anti-Trump forces, particularly in Michigan. Mentioning Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate running for a US Senate seat in Michigan, Trump said, "Why should we take abuse from a lunatic like El-Sayed?" He said he decided to cut the aid after El-Sayed and other progressive Democrats attacked the support for Israel.

"The left is using the $4 billion — which is no secret — as a symbol of unfairness," Trump said. "We can't let that happen."

Trump said the United States could still provide support if Israel needed help in the future, and stressed that Israel would continue to be able to purchase American weapons. "They can buy whatever they want. Europe can do that too. We make the best weapons in the world," he said.

Trump also addressed trade negotiations with Canada, saying a deal would come "very soon." "Farmers will welcome this for a long time, and Canada will no longer be able to take advantage of us," he added.


kate01@heraldcorp.com