US Military Keeps Refueling Aircraft at Ben-Gurion as Israel Sought 20-Plane Cap
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 16
US Military Keeps Refueling Aircraft at Ben-Gurion as Israel Sought 20-Plane Cap
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jul 16
Summary
US military officials told Israel they must keep refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport, rejecting a relocation plan and pushing the dispute to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Alternative sites offered in Israel were deemed too crowded to meet Pentagon safety and operational thresholds, with US officials saying they would hinder a rapid shift from routine posture to emergency operations.
The demand is tied to Tehran-related contingency planning, including a possible attack on US bases in the Persian Gulf that could require immediate Israeli logistical support; Washington is also seeking a larger presence.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev had pressed to remove the aircraft and limit their number to 20 because they were disrupting summer civilian flight schedules, while the IDF opposed moving them to Negev air bases.