The Israeli opposition today criticized Benjamin Netanyahu's government over the news that the United States will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, and collected 40 signatures to call an emergency session of the Knesset (Israeli parliament), DPA reported, citing Israeli media reports.
According to Maariv, The deal to sell the fighter jets, which was signed during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, is a serious blow to Israel's defense.
To date, Israel is the only country in the region that has stealth fighter jets. A law passed by the US Congress in 2008 obliges the US authorities to help Israel "preserve its qualitative military superiority".
US President Donald Trump announced the sale of the advanced fighter jets on the eve of Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington. During the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, the US and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA). Trump also described Riyadh as an "important non-NATO ally". The White House said the US leader had also reached an agreement to sell nearly 300 US tanks to Riyadh.
Efrat Raiten, a member of the Israeli parliament from the "Ha Demokratim" (Democrats) party, accused Netanyahu of losing control of Israel's security. "Netanyahu has betrayed Israel's military advantage in the Middle East - an advantage that the US has carefully maintained for more than five decades," Raiten said. She added that no other Israeli prime minister has caused such disappointment.
The deal between the US and Saudi Arabia could start a regional arms race, the Israeli newspaper "Globes" commented.