Gantz to Kushner: Let’s work together to keep Israel’s military edge
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who was also in the meeting, said "a special window of opportunity has opened for far-reaching changes in the Middle East."
Israel should with the US to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge, Defense Minister Benny Gantz told White House Special Advisor Jared Kushner on Sunday, as the US considers Abu Dhabi’s request to buy F-35 stealth jets and other weapons systems following the UAE’s normalization with Israel.
US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Kushner, and others in the administration made comments about weighing the arms deal in recent weeks, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposing it in order to maintain Israel’s military advantage. The UAE sought to buy F-35s long before the Abraham Accords with Israel were announced.
Gantz, a former military attaché to Washington and familiar with such situations, emphasized that he is prepared to work with the Americans “to find the right avenues to ensure that Israel’s defensive superiority, which is vital to regional stability, is preserved.”
The defense minister and alternate prime minister thanked Kushner and the other members of the delegation, US National Security Adviser Robert C. O’Brien, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz, and Representative for Iran Brian Hook, “for their constructive efforts to establish peace in our region and for the American commitment to Israeli security.”
Gantz said normalization with the UAE is a harbinger for greater stability in the Middle East and expressed confidence that more countries will follow.
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who was also in the meeting, said "a special window of opportunity has opened for far-reaching changes in the Middle East."
Ashkenazi also spoke about Iran with the American delegations, emphasizing the importance of convincing Europe to take a harder line, as he said in a conference of EU foreign ministers last week.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/gantz-to-kushner-we-will-work-together-to-reach-additional-agreements-640491