Is Washington rethinking its relationship with Israel?

What the report says

An Al Jazeera opinion article argues that the latest US midterm elections highlighted a growing strain in Washington’s long-standing relationship with Israel, with possible consequences for military aid and broader policy. The piece says the shift became more visible after President Donald Trump announced the United States would begin phasing out about $4 billion in annual military assistance to Israel by the end of 2026, a move the author describes as surprising in its timing but part of a longer change in direction.

The article links the erosion in support to several factors, including criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the continued occupation of Palestinian territories, settlement expansion, and concern that US backing has pulled Washington into costly and damaging regional conflicts. It also notes pressure from both progressive Democrats and parts of the America First wing of the Republican Party, which question foreign military spending and argue for focusing on domestic needs.

According to the author, the relationship is unlikely to collapse, but it may become less automatic and more conditional. The article says Washington has greater room than Israel to rethink the partnership, given Israel’s dependence on US arms, diplomatic backing and trade ties. It adds that the traditional pillars of support for Israel — Holocaust memory, shared democratic values and the image of Israel as a strong regional ally — are under increasing strain, making the relationship more politically contested than in previous decades.