Israel Demands F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia Be Tied to Normalization Deal

Israel Demands F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia Be Tied to Normalization Deal

When President Donald J. Trump signed the U.S.-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement at the White House on November 18, 2025, he didn’t just seal a $1 trillion deal—he ignited a geopolitical firestorm. Behind the smiles and handshakes, Israeli officials had quietly but firmly told the Trump administration: no F-35s to Saudi Arabia without full diplomatic normalization with Israel. And that’s not a request. It’s a red line.

Why the F-35 Is a Dealbreaker

The Royal Saudi Air Force is set to receive the F-35A variant—stealthy, radar-evading, and armed with a 25mm cannon and AN/APG-81 AESA radar. Each jet costs roughly $77.9 million. For Israel, which has held the qualitative military edge in the region since 2008, this isn’t just another arms sale. It’s an existential threat. U.S. law, codified in the 2008 Foreign Relations Authorization Act, explicitly requires that Israel maintain its edge over all regional powers. Introducing F-35s to Saudi Arabia would shatter that balance overnight.

"We communicated to the Trump administration that the provision of F-35s to Saudi Arabia must be linked to Saudi normalization with Israel," said Israeli officials anonymously to Axios on November 15, 2025. "Providing the jets without diplomatic concessions would be a mistake and counterproductive." They didn’t mince words. This isn’t about politics. It’s about survival.

The $1 Trillion Gamble

The deal signed on November 18 wasn’t just about jets and tanks. It included nearly 300 American tanks, an 80-year defense partnership, and a staggering $1 trillion in Saudi investment pledges—up from $600 billion promised during Trump’s May 2025 visit to Riyadh. The U.S. Department of Defense, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, framed it as an "America First" win: jobs in 50 states, defense industry growth, and burden-sharing funds to offset U.S. military costs in the Middle East.

But here’s the twist: the Saudis didn’t get everything they wanted. While the agreement formalized Saudi Arabia’s status as the U.S.’s "primary strategic partner," it left the F-35s dangling—conditioned on a political move Riyadh hasn’t yet made. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, under Prince Khalid bin Salman, is ready to receive the jets. But the White House, under pressure from Jerusalem, is holding the keys.

Trump’s Timeline: "Fairly Shortly" After Gaza

President Trump has been clear: normalization must follow the Gaza conflict. "I think Saudi will be into the Accords fairly shortly," he told reporters aboard Air Force One on November 14, 2025. But "fairly shortly" is a vague phrase—especially when the Gaza conflict remains ongoing as of mid-November 2025, with no ceasefire in sight.

Israel’s demand is simple: full diplomatic relations. Embassies. Mutual recognition. Not just economic ties or backchannel talks. And Saudi Arabia, despite its public overtures toward normalization since the 2020 Abraham Accords, has never formally extended recognition to Israel. The Kingdom has long insisted on a Palestinian state as a precondition—a stance that now clashes with Trump’s urgency.

"They want the jets without giving us anything," said one senior Israeli defense official. "That’s not how alliances work. We’ve stood by them for decades. Now they want the most advanced fighter in the world? Prove you’re serious."

Who’s Watching From Capitol Hill

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator Jim Risch, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Representative Michael McCaul, now hold the power to block the sale. Under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976, Congress has 30 days to review major arms deals. And they’re already bracing for pressure.

"We didn’t pass the 2008 law to let F-35s go to countries that won’t even shake hands with Israel," said McCaul in a recent interview. "This isn’t about politics. It’s about law. And it’s about keeping our most reliable ally safe."

The 80-Year Shadow

The U.S.-Saudi defense relationship stretches back to 1945, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt granted the U.S. Navy rights to build Dhahran Airfield. Since then, it’s been a marriage of oil, security, and strategic convenience. But this deal is different. It’s the first time the U.S. has considered transferring fifth-generation stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia—and the first time Israel has made it contingent on a political breakthrough.

The U.S. Department of State, under Secretary Marco Rubio, is walking a tightrope. They need Saudi investment. They need regional stability. But they also need to honor commitments to Israel. The White House fact sheet calls the deal "a win for American jobs." But in Jerusalem, they’re calling it a gamble with national security.

What’s Next?

The next move isn’t in Washington or Riyadh. It’s in Gaza. Once the conflict ends—whenever that may be—Trump expects normalization talks to begin "fairly shortly." But will Saudi Arabia be willing to abandon its long-standing position on Palestinian statehood? Will Israel accept anything less than full embassies and public recognition? And will Congress let the F-35s fly without those conditions?

One thing’s certain: the Middle East’s balance of power is shifting. And for the first time, the price of American jets is being set not by defense contractors, but by diplomats in Jerusalem.