Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington’s relationship with Israel extends far beyond military funding, as President Donald Trump announces plans to end approximately $4 billion in annual military assistance from 2027.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended the strength of the United States-Israel relationship, saying the proposed end to billions of dollars in annual American military aid will not undermine the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
Speaking at the Jewish Federations of North America’s 2026 General Assembly in Washington, D.C., Pompeo described the relationship as “deep and unbreakable and really solid”, arguing that its value goes beyond any individual financial arrangement.
Pompeo made the remarks during a discussion with former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, The conversation focused on the future of US-Israel relations, regional security and the changing political climate surrounding American support for Israel.
His comments follow President Donald Trump’s announcement on November 3 that the United States intends to end approximately $4 billion in annual military assistance to Israel after 2026. Trump said the decision had been discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and argued that Israel had become sufficiently capable of meeting its own defence needs.
Trump also indicated that the United States would continue selling weapons to Israel and providing assistance where necessary. He cited domestic political considerations, saying military aid had become a point of criticism for Republican candidates.
The announcement has raised questions about the future structure of American military support. Under the existing 10-year memorandum of understanding, signed in 2016, Washington committed to providing Israel with $38 billion in security assistance between 2019 and 2028. This includes $3.3 billion annually in foreign military financing and $500 million for missile defence programmes.
It remains unclear how the administration intends to implement an early termination, given that the current agreement runs through fiscal year 2028 and congressional funding arrangements are also involved.
Pompeo emphasised the importance of institutional cooperation between the two countries, particularly intelligence sharing and security coordination. Drawing on his experience as both CIA director and secretary of state, he described the partnership as a relationship built on longstanding connections and mutual security interests.
The debate comes at a time when US support for Israel is facing increased scrutiny across American political circles, particularly following the wars in Gaza and the wider Middle East. While some officials and lawmakers have questioned the scale of military assistance, others have argued that cooperation remains important to both countries’ security and defence industries.
The future of the relationship may therefore involve a shift in how assistance is structured, rather than an end to cooperation altogether. As Washington and Jerusalem navigate the proposed changes, Pompeo’s remarks underline his position that the strategic partnership between the two countries is not defined by the amount of military funding exchanged.
