Israel's President Herzog 'Shocked' by Trump's Sudden Announcement to End US Aid

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described former President Donald Trump's announcement to end US aid to Israel as "like a bolt from the blue." Herzog made these remarks during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart at the presidential Sandor Palace in Budapest on October 20, 2026. The announcement, made on the day of the midterm elections, significantly concerned Herzog, especially given the existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US, which is set to continue until 2028 and includes annual aid of $3.8 billion for Israeli weaponry purchases.

Herzog raised the issue during a meeting with the Yashar party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, a key rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The issue of the American aid worries me greatly, and it also fell on me like a bolt from the blue," Herzog stated. He emphasized the need for a stable government to address such critical matters, rather than engaging in repeated elections.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News on Election Day, suggested that aid to Israel would cease this year, two years before the MoU's formal conclusion. He justified this by stating, "Israel’s our number one; we give them more than anybody else, and they no longer need it." However, he provided limited details regarding this decision.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sought clarification on the implications of Trump's announcement. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 News, Huckabee defended the military aid, acknowledging its growing unpopularity in both major US parties. He stressed the importance of the US-Israel relationship, stating, "It’s not about what Americans are putting into it. It’s about what they are getting out of it." Huckabee also countered Vice President JD Vance's assertion that support for Israel contributed to Republican losses in the midterms, asserting that "support for Israel is not toxic in the conservative wing and the Republican Party."

Meanwhile, President Herzog faces a significant domestic challenge following recent elections. Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party emerged with a majority of support from the incoming Israeli Knesset after consultations with all elected parties. Prime Minister Netanyahu secured the backing of only 46 seats, falling short of the 61 needed for a majority, partly due to an ally's refusal to endorse him. Eisenkot garnered support from 67 lawmakers, though the inclusion of Arab-led parties complicates his path to forming a government.

Herzog is tasked with deciding who will receive the mandate to form the next government, a decision he planned to announce on Sunday. "The results of the consultations may appear clear, but the authority vested in me by law is to determine who has the ability to form a government, and that is not entirely clear," he commented. The Yashar party has publicly stated its expectation to receive the mandate, asserting that Israeli citizens have chosen change and expressed no confidence in Netanyahu.

The chosen candidate will have 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Failure to do so would allow another candidate a similar period, followed by a brief window for the Knesset. If these efforts fail, the country would face new elections. Until a new government is formed, Netanyahu will continue as caretaker prime minister. Netanyahu has contested the election results, alleging fraud by Arab-led parties, which the opposition views as an attempt to delay the Knesset's swearing-in and prevent leadership changes.