(VOFNEWS)– Israel has opposed any sale of F-35 warplanes to United Arab Emirates, despite both the countries had agreed to normalize ties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that historic peace agreement between Israel and UAE did not include Israel’s consent to any arms deal
The statement was explicit in Israel’s opposition to sale of F-35s and other advanced weaponry to any country in the Middle East including those with peace agreements with Israel.
According to the office, Netanyahu has expressed this position to the U.S. administration several times, including in July during a conversation with U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and later in a letter to the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu was explicit in Israel’s opposition to the sale of F-35s and other advanced weaponry to any country in the Middle East, including those with peace agreements with Israel,” the statement read.
This statement came after Yediot Aharonot, one of Israel’s largest daily newspapers, reported on Tuesday that the White House plans a “giant” deal to sell F-35 war jets to the UAE.
Last Thursday President Trump, Netanyahu, UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced Israel and the UAE have agreed to normalize ties.
