The controversy regarding the F35 (Will it work? Is it a turkey?) is very low-key in Israeli public opinion at the moment. There’s a general sense of lack of choice, for there is no other realistic option for the IDF/AF to replace part of its dangerously obsolescent fighter fleet. Purchasing any type of non-American jet would entail a very expensive culture change in the AF, and although the first baby step in that direction has been taken with the purchase of the Italian M-346 trainers, there’s is no modern fighter on offer that would justify such a technical revolution. The Euro-canards are singularly unattractive, from both the political and the financial points of view, the F18-F/G would not be a fitting replacement for i.e. F15-c/D’s, and going Russian is not even considered in spite of the continued deterioration of Israel-US ties.

I personally do not believe that the Lightning II JSF will ever enter Israeli service. The alliance with the USA is doomed for a number of reasons, and things will continue going South with the next US administration, which is forecasted as being from moderately anti-Israel to frankly hostile.