Trump: US to end $4 billion annual aid to Israel - NHKニュース

US President Donald Trump says annual aid to Israel will be cut off at the end of the year. The announcement, made on the day of the midterm elections, is seen as an effort to prevent criticism of Republicans over US support for Israel.

In a phone interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Trump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to end 4 billion dollars in annual aid. He said Israel no longer needs the support.Trump also mentioned Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, who opposes US military support for Israel. The Democrat is reported to be in a tight race with his Republican rival.The president said, "Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like El-Sayed when they don't need it? It's a bad talking point." Trump also said Netanyahu brought the issue up, adding that the Israeli prime minister understands it is an election issue. The interview took place after reports that the US military attacked Iran's Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump called it "just a minor attack" and said "it wasn't war." He also said Iran built an anti-aircraft facility on the island and that the US military attacked it immediately after it was completed.