According to a report by The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intelligence chief Tamir Hayman has warned that the United States’ plan to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia without requiring normalization of relations with Israel first could pose a long-term “grave danger” to the strategic partnership between Washington and Jerusalem.
Hayman made the remarks on Wednesday, Nov. 26, during a presentation at the UVID Drone Tech conference in Tel Aviv, highlighting concerns about the broader implications of the decision for American-Israeli relations in the post-war geopolitical landscape.
“This move puts long-term relations with the United States in serious jeopardy,” Hayman said, stressing that Israel’s military, diplomatic, and special bilateral ties with Washington are all at stake. He noted that bipartisan support for Israel in the United States is showing signs of weakening, a trend that could influence the country’s strategic security guarantees.
Hayman described the F-35 sale as a surprising development, particularly given the traditionally strong ties under US President Donald Trump. “Israel has been seen as a unique partner, but US political and social trends are increasingly treating Israel as a politicized issue linked to domestic disagreements,” he said, warning that this shift could erode broad American support for the Jewish state.
He added that the White House meeting between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman marked a turning point in US-Middle East relations. Historically, Israel has maintained a qualitative military edge while economic and regional considerations often placed Saudi Arabia in a prominent position. “Trump’s decision to provide Saudi Arabia with the same capabilities as Israel challenges this longstanding norm,” Hayman said.
The former intelligence chief cautioned that the consequences could be even more pronounced under a future US president less supportive of Israel. “If this decision occurs at a time of strong relations with the US, imagine how much worse it could be under a president who is less aligned with Israeli interests,” he added.
Hayman also urged Israel to encourage Trump to finalize a nuclear agreement with Iran during his remaining term, warning that delay could result in a deal under a future administration that may compromise Israel’s security. “A rushed deal could weaken Israel’s position and reduce strategic leverage,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the Iranian nuclear threat while conditions are most favorable.
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