The United Arab Emirates (UAE) nixed a planned meeting with the United States (US) and Israel after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denied knowledge about an arms deal between the US and UAE post the historic August 13 UAE-Israel deal of normalizing diplomatic ties, according to Axios, a US news website.
Last week, the US President Donald Trump had confirmed a deal being under review for the UAE to purchase American F-35 fighter jets. This deal was hinted to be reached in six months, according to a US defence official.
American F-35 fighter jets have been sold by the US to its allies – including South Korea, Japan and Israel. However, a deal with the UAE requires an extensive review due to the US policy of Israel maintain a military advantage in the Middle East.
According to Axios, the UAE cancelled the planned meeting with the US and Israel on Friday. Axios stated that the UAE wanted to send a message and that the Gulf country felt Netanyahu’s statement breached their historic August 13 agreement of normalizing ties between the two countries.
“They (UAE) were particularly angry that he (Netanyahu) told members of his Cabinet that he would raise his concerns about the deal with members of Congress,” the Axios report said.
The report further stated that the American F-35 fighter jets deal is a “top priority” for the UAE.
The UAE considers the F-35 deal as a link to the agreement of normalizing ties with Israel, according to the Axios report.
On Monday, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is currently on a five day trip in the Middle East to promote the accord between UAE and Israel, said the US would guarantee Israel maintains a military advantage in the region.