Ambassador Huckabee Cites Uncertainty on Aid Timeline
The US envoy says officials are seeking clarity after President Trump claimed a deal to end military support was already struck.
By Samuel Hayes ·
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said on Thursday that he does not know if American military aid to Israel will stop immediately or continue until the end of the current agreement.
Huckabee told Channel 12 news that the administration is asking for clarity on the timing of the aid changes. He noted that Israeli officials are also seeking answers on the same issue. He stated, “I’m not sure. I don’t know that we know the answer to that just yet.”
President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a deal months ago to end US military aid by the end of the year. Ambassador Isaac Herzog said on Thursday that he was unaware of any such agreement to end aid so soon. Herzog described the news as a bolt out of the blue and emphasized that the current memorandum of understanding runs through 2028.
Huckabee defended the value of the aid package, which totals $3.8 billion annually. He explained that the funds are spent within the United States for equipment such as the Iron Dome, David Sling, and Arrow Three missile systems. He added that the money also purchases F-35s, F-15s, F-16s, and Apache helicopters. Huckabee said the administration wants to shift to a trade relationship rather than a traditional aid package.
During the interview, Huckabee challenged comments made by Vice President JD Vance regarding the midterm elections. Vance had suggested that voter support for Israel contributed to the Democratic victory. Huckabee disagreed, citing polls that show only 19% of Republicans view US support for Israel as a decisive issue. He said the concern is mostly held by Democrats on the far left.
Huckabee also addressed the possibility of President Trump influencing the formation of Israel’s new government. He noted that while the US embassy officially takes no position, Trump endorsed Netanyahu before the recent elections. Huckabee suggested Trump could invite both Netanyahu and Yair Lapid to the White House for talks. He said, “He might, he’s certainly capable of doing something like that if it felt like it was the right thing and the right time to do it.”
The ambassador was asked about the likelihood of renewed military strikes on Iran. He said the decision has not been made and that only Trump and the Israeli Prime Minister likely know the answer. He concluded by noting that the current aid memorandum still has several years remaining before it expires.
