Posted 4/3/2024, 12:00:40 PM
Finance Minister Objects to $35 Billion Israel-US Jet Deal, Sparking Clash with Defense Minister
- Finance Minister Smotrich opposes approving $35 billion fighter jet deal with U.S. until defense budget committee is convened
- Smotrich says convening committee and approving deal without Finance Ministry consent is unprecedented
- Defense Minister Gallant slams proposed committee as "politicized" and says it would harm IDF
- Purchase of F-35 and F-15 jets was main focus of Gallant's recent U.S. visit and has Biden administration approval
- Jets part of future deal to replace aging IDF planes; Israel also awaiting approval for Apache helicopters after Oct 7th attack