What lies behind the US’s Saudi F-35 Deal? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Saudi-Israeli Normalization Deal: A proposed agreement for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, with significant implications for the Middle East.
• US Security Agreement: A key component of the deal for Saudi Arabia, involving a security pact with the United States.
• F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets: Advanced military aircraft, a central element of the proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia.
• Palestinian Statehood/Two-State Solution: The core issue hindering the normalization deal, referring to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
• Gaza War: The recent conflict in Gaza, which significantly impacted the political landscape and hardened positions regarding normalization.
• US Arms Sales: The economic and strategic motivations behind the US pursuing arms deals with Saudi Arabia.

Proposed Saudi-Israeli Normalization Deal and F-35 Sale

The video discusses a significant proposed deal aimed at reshaping the Middle East: Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel. This normalization was envisioned to pave the way for broader Arab world engagement with Israel. In exchange for this normalization, Saudi Arabia was to receive a US security agreement, which notably included the highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets.

US Approval of F-35 Sale to Saudi Arabia

Former US President Donald Trump reportedly approved the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia shortly before a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman at the White House. This potential sale would make Saudi Arabia the second country in the Middle East to acquire F-35s, after Israel. Trump stated, "We're going to sell them F-35s. That's the end of the question, I guess." However, the video notes that the actualization of this sale remains to be seen.

Reasons for Lack of Visible Progress on Normalization

Several factors are contributing to the absence of visible movement towards normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel:

• Opportune Moment: Saudi Arabia does not currently perceive it as an opportune moment to establish relations with Israel.
• Impact of the Gaza War: Prior to the Gaza war, the Biden administration believed a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal was close to completion. However, the war and Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip have hardened the positions of key stakeholders.
• Public Opinion: "The Arab Islamic public opinion is shocked by what they've heard and seen happening in Gaza." This widespread sentiment creates a challenging environment for normalization.
• Core Issue: Palestinian Statehood: The central obstacle remains the issue of Palestinian statehood. Saudi Arabia, and the broader Arab world, desire assurance of a "clear path of two-state solution."
• Israeli Stance: The current situation has made it more difficult for Israel to meet Saudi Arabia's position on Palestinian statehood. Notably, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have expressed a lack of interest in normalization if it is contingent on a pathway for a Palestinian state or a political horizon for Palestinians. Netanyahu stated, "Well, if normalization with Saudi Arabia depends on a pathway for a Palestinian state or a political horizon for the Palestinians, then I don't want normalization."

US Motivations for Pursuing the Arms Deal

Despite the stalled normalization, the US is proceeding with the arms deal for several strategic and economic reasons:

• Economic Value: The potential deal is valued at approximately $1 trillion US.
• Saudi Arabia as a Major Arms Buyer: Riyadh has historically been the largest buyer of US weapons, and the Trump administration aimed to maintain this status.
• Deferred Commitment: Agreeing to arms sales does not necessitate immediate delivery, leaving room for a normalization deal to potentially be integrated in the future.

Conclusion

The proposed Saudi-Israeli normalization deal, which included a significant US security agreement and the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, has encountered substantial hurdles. The Gaza war and the unresolved issue of Palestinian statehood have hardened positions, making the original vision of the deal unlikely to materialize in its entirety at present. While the US is moving forward with the arms sale, driven by economic and strategic interests, the broader normalization aspect remains contingent on significant shifts in the geopolitical landscape, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.