New Jewish Narrative Condemns Trump Administration Foreign Aid Freeze (1-28-2025)

January 28, 2025- New Jewish Narrative strongly condemns the recent decision by the Trump administration to implement a freeze on foreign aid.

The Trump administration’s transactional approach to US foreign aid reveals a clear misunderstanding of basic diplomacy and soft power. Foreign aid is not merely an expense; it is an investment in global stability, peacebuilding, and the health and safety of millions of people worldwide. By halting nearly all aid programs, including life-saving global health initiatives and peacebuilding projects, this freeze undermines both America’s moral leadership and its strategic interests.

We fully support rigorous oversight and thoughtful evaluation of foreign aid programs, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for in the announcement of the freeze. It is reasonable to ensure that every dollar spent aligns with US policy objectives and values. However, a blanket freeze on nearly all assistance is the wrong approach. 

New Jewish Narrative’s President and CEO Hadar Susskind said: “This decision is particularly reckless in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At this sensitive moment, as a fragile ceasefire takes hold, many US-funded peacebuilding initiatives play a crucial role in fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and stability. Freezing these funds risks undermining progress at a time when investment in peacebuilding is more important than ever.”

New Jewish Narrative calls on the Trump administration to reverse this decision immediately. A review of aid programs can still be conducted without halting the vital work they support. Now is the time for the United States to reaffirm its commitment to global leadership, not retreat from it.