"There is no change in Israeli policy opposing US sales of advanced weaponry to Arab states that could diminish Israel's military superiority," Intelligence Services Minister Eli Cohen said Tuesday, following reports that the United Arab Emirates could clinch such deals.
Last week, the UAE and Israel announced a historic peace deal, which made the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to forge official diplomatic relations with Israel and the third Arab country overall to normalize relations with the Jewish state, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.
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Cohen's remark followed media reports saying that Washington planned a "giant" sale of F-35 fighter jets and drones in wake of the rapprochement with Israel.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem had no immediate comment on the report. Under understandings dating back decades, Washington has refrained from Middle East arms sales that may blunt Israel's "qualitative military edge."
Cohen said Israel's Diplimatic-Security Cabinet has held no discussion on any changes to the QME policy and that Israel had not agreed to any changes by the United States.
"I know of no change to the position and the policy of the state of Israel," he told public broadcaster Kan. "I am telling you that Israel has not given its consent to coming along and changing the arrangement."
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