TEL AVIV, November 6. /TASS/. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has framed US President Donald Trump’s statement about ending $4 billion in annual financial assistance to the Jewish state as a transition from aid to partnership.

"The transition from aid to partnership, initiated by Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump, demonstrates the strength and sophistication of bilateral relations, as well as their ability to adapt and remain strong over time," the statement published by the Israeli prime minister’s office on X said. Netanyahu’s office noted that "US military assistance to Israel has always been the result of a bipartisan agreement" [between Republicans and Democrats - TASS]. "Israel has used it [US military assistance - TASS] both to defend itself and to confront enemies threatening America and the West," the prime minister’s office said, adding that "Israel today has a strong and stable economy."

On November 3, Trump announced on Fox News that the United States would end its annual funding of approximately $4 billion for Israel by the end of this year. According to him, the decision had been agreed upon with Netanyahu several months earlier. The US president did not specify which area of assistance he was referring to. Trump also said that the Israeli prime minister had initiated the discussion about ending the funding and that Israel agreed with the decision.

In 2016, US and Israeli representatives signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation. Under the document, the total amount of US assistance to the Jewish state was to reach $38 billion over the period from late 2018 through 2028. Israel received $3.3 billion annually, plus an additional $500 million for missile defense. The missile defense provision was included in such a memorandum for the first time.