Netanyahu struggling to prevent Trump-Erdogan ties from disrupting US-Israel allyship - analysis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategic use of two Fox News interviews within 48 hours signals a deliberate diplomatic maneuver ahead of President Donald Trump's meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO Summit. These media appearances served as a direct channel to exert pressure on Washington while key decisions were still pending.

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agree on 99% of issues

Netanyahu's interviews were designed as a two-part strategy. In the first, he worked to smooth over any perceived rifts with Trump, emphasizing their agreement on "99% of issues" and presenting a united front, particularly concerning Iran. This approach aimed to build goodwill, recognizing Trump's sensitivity to public criticism and the effectiveness of an ally offering praise before making a request.

The second interview laid bare Netanyahu's primary objective: to prevent Turkey from emerging from the NATO Summit with an enhanced security partnership with the US. He directly opposed the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Netanyahu expanded his argument beyond security concerns, presenting a comprehensive critique of Erdogan's government, citing its occupation of Cyprus, its rhetoric regarding Jerusalem, its support for Hamas, and its inaction against Iran.

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It is a country that occupies half of Cyprus... they talk openly about conquering Jerusalem... they supported Hamas and did not lift a finger against Iran.

Netanyahu concluded by stating that Turkey "are not allies of the standard that we are. We share the same values." This message, though critical of Turkey, was strategically addressed towards Washington. He bypassed the Israeli public to speak directly to US lawmakers, including Democrats opposing the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, and those preparing briefing materials for President Trump. His arguments provided the necessary vocabulary for opponents to block the potential F-35 sale, framing Turkey as a challenge to NATO and highlighting its ties to Russia's S-400 missile system.

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They are not allies of the standard that we are. We share the same values.