Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz expressed deep concern Sunday about Israel’s ability to maintain its military edge in the region after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a $110 billion arms package deal with Saudi Arabia this week.
The agreement was made in order to aid the Sunni Muslim nation defend itself against the increasingly aggressive stance of Shi’ite Iran.
But Steinitz contends that Saudi Arabia is hostile to Israel, and that Jerusalem must ensure the Jewish State maintains its own qualitative military edge regardless of the defensive needs of others in the region. Moreover, he added that hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons deals was something the United States needed to discuss with Israel before signing on the dotted line with Riyadh.
Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz expressed similar concerns during the cabinet meeting as well. However, he said the visit by President Trump serves to strengthen the anti-Iranian forces in the region, thereby providing a stronger foundation for Middle East peace as well.