Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE calls reports that the United States plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates “false news.”
Israeli media first reported on Tuesday the sale, which would be included in the agreement to normalize relations between Israel and the UAE. A so-called secret clause in the deal would presumably allow the nation of the Gulf to buy billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment, including the F-35 and drones.
Sources told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that the UAE Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan allowed the agreement on condition that the sale would take place.
But Netanyahu said Israel would oppose such a deal because the Israeli army must maintain superiority in the region.
The peace agreement “did not include Israel’s consent to an armed deal between the United States and the UAE,” according to a statement from Netanyahu’s bureau.
“The US made it clear to Israel that it will always take care to protect Israel’s qualitative edge.”
Asked about reports of the sale on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters that the Trump administration “does not confirm as commentary on proposed defense sales or transfers until they have been formally informed to Congress.”
The United States has not sold advanced military equipment to countries in the Middle East since the 1970s that could detract from Israel’s “qualitative edge.”
Israel is currently the only country in the region that has fifth-generation fighters.
Following the formal peace agreement reached by the US breach last week that the UAE created the first Arab nation to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a state since the 1994 Israel – Jordan peace treaty, the Trump administration signaled that Abu Dhabi could unspecified win new U.S. arms sales.
News of the potential arms sale has taken Washington by surprise.
Two State Department officials dealing with U.S. foreign arms sales told CNN they were unaware of such a sale. And supporters of relevant congressional committees said they were not informed of such a deal.
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