Gates Says Israel Gave In on Saudi Arms After F-35 Pledge
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Israel didn’t oppose a $60 billion U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia, in part because the Pentagon agreed to sell the Israelis at least 20 new Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 jets, according to the new book by Robert Gates.
The 2010 sale of 154 new and modernized Boeing Co. F-15 jets and attack helicopters, plus parts and munitions, “especially exercised” the Israeli leadership as “it came at a bad time in the relationship,” the former defense secretary wrote.