CaliToday (23/11/2025): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thrust the complex dynamics of US arms sales and Middle East security into the spotlight, asserting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised to block Saudi Arabia's acquisition of the F-35 stealth fighter jet.
Netanyahu's highly publicized statement, made during a widely circulated Hebrew-language interview, centers on the Qualitative Military Edge (QME) a long-standing US policy commitment to ensure Israel maintains military technological superiority over its regional adversaries. The Prime Minister explicitly stated that the US is bound to uphold this edge, particularly regarding the supply of advanced weaponry.
The Contradiction with the Trump Administration
Netanyahu's assertion is in direct opposition to remarks previously made by President Trump. Trump had indicated a desire for a more balanced approach, suggesting he wanted both Israel and Saudi Arabia to be "treated equally" in receiving the F-35. The former President had hinted that while Israel might prefer a "lesser version" for Saudi Arabia, he was inclined to offer both nations the "most advanced kind." This difference reveals a fundamental tension: Trump's push for regional normalization and strategic cooperation versus Tel Aviv's deeply entrenched need for absolute military asymmetry.
Marco Rubio's Role and the Codified QME
Netanyahu's decision to name Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a strategic move, framing the QME commitment not as a negotiation point but as a non-negotiable US policy pillar. Netanyahu claims Rubio made it "very clear" that the US would guarantee Israel's superiority in all domains, including the access, upgradeability, and deployment of the F-35.
This tradition dates back to the 1970s, but the QME commitment was codified into US law in 2008. The law mandates that any arms sales to Arab nations must ensure Israel receives a quantitatively or technologically superior version, thereby institutionalizing Israel’s military advantage.
Customization is Key: Israel's F-35 variant, the F-35I Adir, is a prime example of this preferential treatment. The Israeli model is heavily customized—including the ability to integrate unique Israeli electronic warfare systems and accommodate additional fuel carriage (often without compromising stealth). This allows it to execute long-range strike missions, such as the reported surprise sorties deep into Iranian airspace.
Broader Context: Normalization vs. Asymmetry
The current debate is centered on the future direction of the US–Israel–Saudi relationship.
Saudi Ambition: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia views the F-35 as a necessary component of its modernization efforts and a key deterrent against Iran. Its pursuit of the jet is tied to a potential full normalization deal with Israel, a major diplomatic goal for the US.
Israeli Anxiety: For Israel, maintaining the military gap with Riyadh is paramount. Allowing Saudi Arabia to possess the F-35 would be seen as a significant erosion of the QME and could shift the regional balance of power. The timing of Netanyahu's comments as talks of a normalization deal intensify signals that Israel is drawing a red line on advanced arms sales.
By publicly highlighting Rubio's alleged commitment, Netanyahu is sending a clear message to Washington: Israel expects its absolute military advantage to be preserved, regardless of diplomatic breakthroughs or competing strategic interests in a rapidly evolving Middle Eastern landscape. The controversy underscores a significant internal policy difference within the US government and reflects Israel's persistent efforts to secure its security guarantees amidst growing regional competition.