'4 billion dollar' polemic in Israeli lobbies: 'Trump's aid package will not be cut immediately'
US Ambassador to Israel Huckabee said that a Congressional decision is required to end the aid program and that it is unlikely to be completed by the end of the year.
Quick Look
- US Ambassador to Israel Huckabee said that Trump's announcement to stop $4 billion in Israeli aid will not be made suddenly, that a Congressional decision is required to end the aid program and that it is unlikely to be made by the end of the year.
- He stated that the idea of phasing out the aid came from Netanyahu.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
US President Trump announced on November 3 that the US's $4 billion aid to Israel would be stopped and said, "We will not give money to Israel anymore." Huckabee said this announcement does not mean a sudden cut and that an act of Congress is required to end the aid program.
Speaking to i24NEWS television broadcasting in Israel, Huckabee said that the stoppage of the $4 billion aid that Trump announced last week would not be sudden.
Stating that a Congressional decision is required to completely end the aid program and that it is unlikely to be passed by the end of the year, Huckabee said, "As far as I know, a sudden cut is out of the question."
'THE IDEA TO TERMINATE AID CAME FROM NETANYAHU'
Huckabee argued that the idea of phasing out aid came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that he started expressing this about a year and a half ago.
Stating that he has not yet met face to face with Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the opposition Yashar Party, who was assigned to form the government in Israel, Huckabee said that the USA will work with whoever is the prime minister.
Huckabee said, "We will work together regardless of the government that takes office. Because that government will ultimately be the representative of the Israeli people, and our duty is to represent the United States before this elected government."
'WE WILL NOT GIVE MONEY TO ISRAEL ANYMORE'
US President Trump announced on November 3 that the US's $4 billion aid to Israel would be stopped.
Stating that an agreement was reached to stop aid to Israel by the end of the year, Trump said, "We will not give money to Israel anymore." He used the following expressions:
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Congress may decide to end the Israeli aid program by the end of the year.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- When will Congress decide on ending the aid program?
- Which areas of Israel could be most affected if aid cuts occur?
- How will US relations with the new Israeli government be shaped?
