Israel’s air superiority, for decades an untouchable pillar of its deterrence power, now faces a new strategic test. While Washington and Riyadh negotiate the sale of the most advanced stealth fighter jets, the F-35, Israel’s security doctrine is wavering. Benjamin Netanyahu is prepared to risk what may be the most sacred principle of Israel’s defense philosophy—the qualitative military edge of its armed forces—in order to achieve a political miracle: normalization with Saudi Arabia. Yet what appears as a diplomatic breakthrough could prove to be a critical security vulnerability.

The biggest arms deal in history?

Negotiations between the United States and Saudi Arabia over the purchase of F-35 jets have intensified in recent weeks, running parallel to efforts to bring Riyadh into the Abraham Accords. According to Israeli security sources, Saudi Arabia wants to acquire 50 to 100 stealth jets of the most modern version (Block 4). The deal is part of a comprehensive package that includes a mutual defense agreement with the United States and support for...

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