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October 9, 2010

Damascus, Syria – Just a day after the United States signed a $2.75 billion deal to sell 20 F-35 fighter jets to Israel, Syria opposed the move and said that the defense deal will threaten security in the region.

The deal came as an offer from Washington to Tel Aviv to apparently save Middle East peace talks. Under the deal, Israel will get 20 fifth-generation F-35 stealth jets, which cannot be detected by radar, and the first jet will be delivered between 2015 and 2017.

“The most advanced fighter jet in the world today, the F-35 will enhance Israel’s ability to defend itself, by itself, against any threat or combination of threats, from anywhere within the Middle East,” Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. said in a statement.

Describing the deal an event of great strategic and historic significance, Oren said that it would serve common interests of the two countries. It is believed that Washington’s offer was intended to persuade Jerusalem to extend the Gaza settlement halt for two more months.

However, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said, “We are told that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will announce a two-month freeze on settlements, provided this issue is not raised again, and obtain in exchange a deal for very sophisticated arms.” “The question is no longer a two-month settlement freeze, but rather a threat to Arab security,” Muallem added.

The move has also upset Iran and it can further increase tensions, which are already at its high, following an announcement from the U.S. about a major arms sale to Saudi Arabia in recent past.