Pompeo plays down Trump's promise to cut US military aid to Israel, saying 'there will still be a lot of aid.'
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo played down concerns surrounding the Trump administration's pledge to cut $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel after this year, arguing that bilateral ties remain structural and undisturbed.
In a speech to the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington DC. C., Pompeo stated that whether official military funding will be allocated remains secondary to the fundamental adjustment between the US and Israel.
"Whether or not we provide that particular assistance, there will still be deep connectivity," Pompeo told the advocacy group. "There will still be a lot of aid, and there will be a partnership that is historically important, not only for Israel but also for the United States of America. ".
Relying on his tenure in the first Trump administration, Pompeo emphasized that the institutional, intelligence and security ties between Washington and Tel Aviv exceed the public budget announcements.
The comments come amid growing friction within the US political establishment, where public frustration over military spending across the region and energy costs have raised calls to reduce direct foreign aid to Israel.
However, Pompeo's words reinforce the reality of Washington's bipartisan commitment to Tel Aviv, and demonstrate that reductions in formal aid lines do not mark an end to US diplomatic, intelligence or military support.