Shea Levin — text status

Israel is expected to seek a major package of advanced U.S. weapons after Washington notified Jerusalem of plans for a roughly $25 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, Walla reports. Israeli officials would prefer to keep the stealth fighter exclusive to Israel in the Middle East, though Saudi deliveries would still be about five years away. As compensation, Israel could request weapons previously withheld by Washington, access to classified defense programs, expanded cooperation on Arrow 4 and Arrow 5 interceptors, and advanced space-based weapons and other capabilities.