Rubio said that the United States and Israel are discussing a new document on military aid.
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 10: US Secretary of State Rubio said on the 9th that the US and Israel are discussing a new memorandum of understanding regarding US military aid to Israel.
According to RIA Novosti, Rubio said after attending the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in France that day that US President Trump believes that Israel is "now prosperous and rich enough" to purchase weapons from the US, and "the US no longer needs to provide funds for it".
Rubio said Trump hopes to implement the new MOU as soon as possible.
In 2016, during the administration of the Democratic President Obama, the US signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel to provide aid of approximately 3.8 billion dollars per year for ten years, valid until September 2028. The aid reportedly includes $3.3 billion in defense assistance and $500 million in missile defense cooperation projects.
Trump announced on the 3rd of the month that the aforementioned aid will end at the end of this year. According to Trump, the idea was proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump also said that "Israel is a very prosperous country" and does not need these aids. However, according to reports in the Israeli media, Israel was surprised by Trump's decision, and Israel President Herzog expressed concern and shock.