Defense establishment shocked by Trump's Israel aid cut off, details unclear, sources tell 'Post'

NOVEMBER 8, 2026 19:25Updated: NOVEMBER 8, 2026 19:57The Israeli defense establishment was shocked by US President Donald Trump’s early cut-off of military aid and is still unclear on what it implies for immediate budgetary and weapons sales issues, The Jerusalem Post has learned.Some political officials have been trying to downplay the harm to Israel’s national security by arguing that ending US military aid and moving to a partnership model in the upcoming years was already a large part of the negotiations between the sides.But in those conversations, the earliest military aid cut-off was anticipated to be the end of 2028, and possibly even on a gradual basis between 2028 and 2038.The true shock level of the issue was clear from several Israeli defense officials who told the Post in real time that they were completely blindsided, with the deafening silence from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who still has not really addressed the matter, adding to the confusion.But the Post can now report that even days after Trump’s announcement, wide uncertainty still hovers over the entire ordeal.US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (credit: REUTERS)It is unclear whether a delay in Israeli officials addressing the issue is due to continuous ambiguity emanating from the US – where many American defense officials were also taken by surprise – or because Netanyahu is too embarrassed or busy fighting with Gadi Eisenkot for control of the next Israeli government, bruised relations between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, or some other issue.Until Trump, US defense officials, Netanyahu, and Israeli defense officials have clarity on the amounts and timing of the freeze, both US government and private sector officials may take action on their own to freeze certain weapons transfers or approvals.They may do so to avoid running afoul of Trump when they do not clearly know his guidelines.In May 2024, then-US president Joe Biden instituted a partial freeze on transferring large 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, and some other weapons.Some weapons transfers slowed following Trump announcement, Israeli officials sayHowever, while that partial weapons freeze was officially narrowly tailored, many Israeli officials said unofficially that it had ripple effects across the spectrum of weapons transfers, significantly slowing certain transfers that were not formally frozen.In some ways, while Israeli officials appreciate Trump’s tremendous support of Israel striking Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, with fewer strings attached than under Biden, they are more worried about the future now than they were in May 2024, because there is no clear path to a sound resolution.In June 2024, the Post learned that then-defense minister Yoav Gallant convinced the Biden administration to unfreeze many restrictions by promising how specific weapons would or would not be used.In contrast, with Trump, if he has calculated that it is not politically viable to continue military aid, there may be no clear solution.But in favor of Trump, he has said there is no question that the US will continue to sell Israel the weapons it wants, vs Biden, who in May 2024 had frozen certain weapons, whether via military aid or full purchase price.In the most optimistic scenario, some Israeli officials still hope Trump will quietly restore some military aid over the next two years, but on an ad hoc basis.This would mean he could do less real-time reporting to the public and the US Congress, which he would need to do under a more formal agreement.Announcement may affect 2023 F-35 deal, potential F-15 purchasesIn 2023, Israel, the US government, and Lockheed Martin signed a deal for 25 additional F-35s, to eventually raise the number of aircraft Israel operates from 50 to 75, which would mean a third squadron. Additional steps in that process took place in mid-2024.Previously, the Post was told that the first third squadron F-35 deliveries would start in 2027.It is unclear how the loss of potentially up to almost $8 billion in military aid would affect these purchases or the parallel purchases of new F-15 aircraft and other items Israel lacks the capacity to produce independently.Further, the Post has learned that even after the Trump announcement, there are still no plans to try to rebuild Israel’s fighter jet industry, which was closed in failure in the 1980s. Israeli officials estimate it would take around 10 years to restore it.Follow us on Google