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Trump Ties Saudi F-35 Deal to Normalization with Israel
(Israel Hayom) Danny Zaken - At the meeting on Nov. 18 between President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump pressed the crown prince to take at least one symbolic step toward normalization with Israel. Bin Salman declined, citing his internal difficulties and public opinion in Saudi Arabia. So although Trump announced a future sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, he made it subject to a practical move toward normalization with Israel and entry into the Abraham Accords. Moreover, Washington essentially rejected the Saudi request to enrich uranium on Saudi soil. Egyptian attempts to pressure senior Hamas officials into accepting a framework for surrendering power and weapons face obstinacy from at least part of Hamas's leadership. The Turks are currently missing from efforts to pressure Hamas. This step followed Israel's veto on including Turkish troops in the multinational force expected to enter Gaza.