Despite Netanyahu Silence, Israelis not Thrilled with Massive Saudi Arms Buy

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was not going to say anything that could be interpreted as a criticism of US President Donald Trump on the eve of his arrival. But given the source of the expression of Israel’s concerns about the US selling Saudi Arabia more than $100 billion in sophisticated arms was one of Netanyahu’s longtime closest allies, he might have said it himself. Before Sunday’s weekly cabinet session, Minister Yuval Steinitz said that the arms sale “should really trouble us.” Successive American administrations have pledged to ensure that Israel remains the strongest military force in the Middle East, but as weapons become more advanced, retaining the edge becomes more problematic. And, as one veteran pundit told The Media Line, “maintaining the strategic edge doesn’t prevent untold deaths of our young men and women in uniform even if we prevail.” Steinitz reminded his colleagues that Saudi Arabia is still hostile to the Jewish state and has no diplomatic relations with Israel.