Israel signs $3bn deal for 25 F-35 fighter jets from USA

In May, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich temporarily froze the purchase, part of a larger deal including the purchase of a new F-15 squadron, until the government agreed to establish a public committee to oversee the distribution of the defense budget.

The combined deals are worth 35 billion shekels ($9.5 billion).

Smotrich criticized security officials’ demands for “a blank check," which he said had "massive consequences for the economy and the quality of life of Israeli citizens.”

In response, Gallant accused the finance minister of endangering Israel's security.

“If we do not finalize the process of purchasing the squadrons from the United States within a month, it will delay the acquisition of the planes by three years and increase the price...by an additional billion shekels [$268 million],” said Gallant, according to Channel 12.

Smotrich's office announced on May 29 that it had reached an agreement with Gallant to form the oversight committee, clearing the way for the deal.

Israel was the first country outside the United States to acquire the F-35, and according to the Israeli military also the first to use the stealth fighter in combat.