US President Donald Trump has set the end of 2026 as the target date for ending military aid to Israel. He announced this on the day of the mid-term elections, while maintaining his willingness to sell weapons to the ally. Israeli financial and military officials, according to reports in the local press, learned of the sharp cut at the deadline through a public speech. The next day, Vice President J. Dee Vance linked the Republican defeat to the Iran war and relations with Israel. Politics demanded a quick end to history, which had been written in arms contracts for years.
WSJ, citing a State Department document to Congress, reports: After 2028, Israel will need $10 billion in orders to be taken into account on April 1, 2026. The newspaper estimates the annual aid promised in the next two years at almost 7 billion dollars. Former State Department employee Josh Paul considered that ending funding before the end of the year was unlikely. The indicated 10 billion will be required in addition to the funds of the current program. Washington's obligation to donate them to Israel does not arise from the mere existence of the orders.
The orders came thanks to the approval of the purchase of weapons paid for by future aid. Israel will be able to agree to a multi-year purchase and spread payments over the following budget years. American factories received a long order, the IDF was given an opportunity to update weapons before receiving the full amount. By May 2025, total US aid to Israel has reached $174 billion in nominal terms, including economic support. This long-term practice made it possible to plan purchases in anticipation of the next American contribution.
The memorandum for the years 2019-2028 stipulates 38 billion dollars, of which 33 billion dollars for the purchase of weapons. Funds are appropriated annually by Congress. The memo itself is political in nature, so future allocations could be changed.