Israel wants F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia tied to normalization.

2 hours ago7 min read2 comments

In a calculated diplomatic maneuver that places its long-term security interests above immediate regional rivalries, Israel has signaled a conditional acceptance of a potential U. S.sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, provided the kingdom formally normalizes relations with the Jewish state. This strategic positioning, articulated by two senior Israeli officials, transforms advanced weapons procurement into a powerful lever for peace, reminiscent of historical arms-for-diplomacy bargains that have reshaped alliances in the past.The timing is critical, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman scheduled to meet President Trump at the White House, where a U. S.-Saudi defense pact, the F-35 deal, and the elusive prize of Saudi-Israeli normalization are set to dominate the agenda. President Trump has already set the stage, telling MBS in a recent phone call that he expects movement toward normalization now that the Gaza war is concluding, and publicly expressing his hope that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords 'fairly shortly.' While Trump confirmed his administration is considering the F-35 sale, Israeli officials have drawn a clear red line for their American allies: the jets must be contingent upon full diplomatic recognition. 'We told the Trump administration that the supply of F-35s to Saudi Arabia needs to be subject to Saudi normalization with Israel,' one official stated, warning that providing such advanced capabilities without concrete diplomatic concessions would be 'a mistake and counterproductive.' This stance highlights a nuanced shift in Israel's regional calculus. Unlike its firm opposition to Turkey acquiring the F-35, Israel views a Saudi acquisition through the lens of the Abraham Accords, potentially integrating Riyadh into a regional security framework that already includes the United Arab Emirates.However, this proposition directly challenges the long-standing U. S.commitment to preserving Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME), a principle codified into American law in 2008, which guarantees that Israel maintains a technological military advantage over any potential regional coalition. The supply of the world's most advanced stealth fighter to a neighboring state inherently alters the military balance, a concern Israeli planners are acutely aware of given that an F-35 could fly from Saudi Arabia to Israel in a matter of minutes.Consequently, Israel would inevitably demand stringent security guarantees, likely including restrictions on basing the aircraft in western Saudi Arabia, similar to the conditions it negotiated during the ultimately stalled F-35 deal with the UAE. The path to such an agreement remains fraught with obstacles, primarily the significant gap between Saudi and Israeli positions on the Palestinian issue.The Saudis insist that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commit to a 'credible, irreversible, and time-bound path' for a Palestinian state, a demand he has thus far rejected. Israeli officials are now hoping that President Trump will press MBS to soften these demands during their White House meeting, potentially launching direct trilateral talks aimed at a peace deal materializing in the coming months.As one Israeli official framed it, 'The Saudis need to change their attitude during this visit. It is important that the Trump-MBS meeting will lead to a clear road map towards normalization. ' This high-stakes diplomatic gambit, set against the backdrop of great power politics and regional realignment, echoes the grand statecraft of previous administrations, where arms and alliances were inextricably linked in the pursuit of a more stable Middle Eastern order.

#lead focus news

#Israel

#Saudi Arabia

#F-35

#normalization

#Abraham Accords

#US foreign policy

#Middle East

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