US Ambassador Huckabee Uncertain on Timeline for Israel Aid Changes

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee expressed uncertainty on Thursday regarding the precise timeline for changes to American military assistance for the Jewish state. This statement came in response to President Donald Trump's announcement earlier in the week that a deal had been reached with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end aid. Huckabee told Channel 12 that he did not know if the aid would cease immediately or if it would continue under the current memorandum of understanding, which is valid through the end of 2028.

When asked by the news channel, Huckabee admitted, "I'm not sure. I don't know that we know the answer to that just yet." He added that the US side is seeking clarity on the matter, noting that Israeli officials are likely asking similar questions. The ambiguity has created confusion among political leaders and analysts who are trying to understand the immediate implications of the President's declaration.

Despite the uncertainty, the Ambassador defended the value of the existing aid package. He highlighted that the $3.8 billion annual figure is relatively small within the broader US budget. Huckabee emphasized that this funding is spent back in the United States, where Israel purchases equipment such as the Iron Dome, the David Sling, the Arrow Three missile system, and various fighter jets including F-35s, F-15s, and F-16s. He argued that these purchases support both Israeli defense capabilities and American industry.

Huckabee clarified that he did not view President Trump's announcement as a mistake. Instead, he explained that the administration aims to shift toward a different type of relationship. The goal is to move away from a structure that resembles a traditional package of aid and toward a relationship based on trade. He noted that the current memorandum of understanding still has several years remaining before it expires.

President Isaac Herzog also weighed in on the situation on Thursday. Speaking during a meeting with representatives of the Yashar party at his residence in Jerusalem, Herzog stated that he was unaware of any agreement to end American military aid by the end of the current year. He described the news as hitting him like a bolt out of the blue, echoing the observation that the current agreement runs through 2028. The President expressed that the issue of American aid worries him greatly.

Herzog stressed that maintaining strong ties with the United States is a critical factor in ensuring Israel forms a stable government and avoids another round of elections. While other senior Israeli and US officials have indicated they were taken by surprise by the announcement, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet commented directly on the President's statement. However, the Prime Minister has previously expressed a desire to phase out aid over a period of ten years.

In the same interview, Huckabee addressed Vice President JD Vance's comments regarding the midterm election results. Vance had suggested that some voters who supported Trump in the past abandoned the party due to his support for Israel, as well as the conflict with Iran. Huckabee disagreed with this assessment, stating that he did not think that was where the voters' concerns lay. He pointed out that polls show only 19 percent of Republicans view US support for Israel as a pivotal issue, while it is more prominent among Democrats on the far left.

The Ambassador was also asked about the potential role of President Trump in helping to form a coalition government in Israel following the inconclusive election results. Huckabee noted that while the US government officially takes no position on the Israeli election, Trump did endorse Netanyahu before the vote. He suggested that Trump might invite both Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot to the White House for talks, noting that the President often surprises observers with his actions.

Finally, with both US and Israeli elections now concluded, Huckabee was questioned about the likelihood of renewed military strikes on Iran. He stated that the decision has not yet been made. According to the Ambassador, there are likely only two people in the world who know for certain whether a new military operation will occur: President Trump and the Prime Minister. He concluded by saying, "I don't think we know."