Trump announces on voting day to cut off aid to Israel by 630 billion yen a year

[Washington, Cairo Jiji] On the 3rd, U.S. President Trump announced that he would cut off annual aid to Israel of approximately $4 billion (approximately 630 billion yen) at the end of the year. He spoke in a telephone interview with FOX News. His abrupt remarks immediately after voting began in the midterm elections appear to be aimed at appealing to Republican supporters and independents who are skeptical of intervention in foreign conflicts.

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Some members of the Democratic Party are criticizing military aid to Israel, which has caused numerous civilian casualties in attacks on the Palestinian autonomous region of Gaza. Trump has argued that continued aid has become a "damaging talking point" for Republicans in the election campaign. "Israel is a prosperous country and does not need (military aid)," he added.

However, many Republican politicians are pro-Israel, and a backlash is expected.

In 2016, under the Obama administration, the United States signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel for military assistance totaling $38 billion (approximately 6 trillion yen) over 10 years. It is scheduled to continue until 2028. Trump's remarks appear to be referring to this support.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long expressed the idea of ​​phasing out U.S. military funding over the next 10 years. However, a senior Defense Ministry official told local media, ``The announcement is a complete disappointment. We will consider the impact (of the suspension).''

In an interview, former Israeli national security adviser Frata emphasized, ``We already have military procurement contracts. (If aid is cut off), we will have to come up with money from our own resources, which will affect government spending.'' It is unknown how the security system will change, and he expressed concern about the suspension of support.