Rubio reassured Netanyahu Israel won’t lose military edge despite sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia

U.S. law requires that Israel retain a measurable edge in advanced weapons systems.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Washington has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Israel’s military edge even as the United States proceeds with plans to supply F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to the Telegram channel Abu Ali Express, he said he pressed the issue directly with Secretary of State Marco Rubio after learning the sale was moving forward.

According to Netanyahu, the transaction went ahead without prior consultation with Jerusalem. He said he later sought assurances that Israel’s regional advantage would remain intact under longstanding U.S. policy.

“They didn’t ask us before the sale of the F-35, but once it happened, I spoke with [Secretary of State Marco Rubio] and made sure of it. Mohammed Bin Salman did not receive from [US President Donald Trump] everything he wanted,” he told the channel.

Israel remains the region’s only operator of the F-35, a platform viewed internationally as one of the most sophisticated aircraft of its kind.

U.S. law requires that Israel retain a measurable edge in advanced weapons systems.

Netanyahu also addressed speculation that Ankara could one day seek the same aircraft.

He dismissed that scenario as essentially nonexistent, saying any stance Israel takes on a Saudi request would be far more forceful regarding Turkey.

“I understand that this possibility is very remote, if it even exists at all,” he said, adding that Israel’s position would intensify significantly if such a proposal were ever raised.

The comments came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Donald Trump in Washington.

During his visit, the crown prince said his government wanted to move toward official ties with Israel but would also insist on what he described as a concrete route to Palestinian statehood. The kingdom does not currently recognize Israel.

Netanyahu, in his interview, offered a cautious assessment of that diplomatic track. He said he believed progress with Riyadh was achievable but made clear his government does not envision a sovereign Palestinian state emerging from any negotiation.

“I’m ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the chances of normalization with Saudi Arabia,” he said. “There won’t be a Palestinian state.”

U.S. officials have indicated that the Saudi jets would not include the same high-end capabilities integrated into Israel’s fleet.

Benjamin NetanyahuF-35Saudi Arabia