Eisenkot: Netanyahu learning of US aid halt via media a danger

Yesh Atid MK Gadi Eisenkot, former IDF chief of staff, responded Tuesday to US President Donald Trump's announcement halting direct military aid to Israel, sharply attacking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has not yet addressed the matter, and calling on him to answer the public's questions about the American move.

"The special relationship with the United States is a central component of Israel's national security," Eisenkot said. "The fact that the security establishment is discovering, together with Israeli citizens, a change in the strategic relationship through the media, shows how much Benjamin Netanyahu's conduct is a real danger. He can no longer be trusted and must be replaced."

According to Eisenkot, this is "another time that Israel's prime minister is incapable of looking the Israeli citizen in the eye and telling the truth. Netanyahu must provide answers, this very evening, to the citizens of Israel."

Trump announced today that Israel and the United States have reached understandings under which direct military aid from the US to Israel will come to an end. During an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that Israel is "helping us, the relationship is just great," but said "we made a deal with the Israelis, we're not going to pay them anymore."

The president explained at length: "We were paying Israel, Bibi Netanyahu and I reached a deal, months ago already that we're stopping this, they're happy with it, they've become a very successful country, they don't need it, and we're not going to pay them anymore. We already agreed on this, we'll help Israel if it needs it, it's an excellent ally and we're their best ally and the best ally of many other countries."