Netanyahu urges Trump against F-35 deal with Türkiye

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly urged U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. The appeal came after Trump suggested he would consider reversing a U.S. ban on such sales, citing Türkiye's "loyalty."

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It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations.

Speaking on American television, Netanyahu warned that selling F-35s to Türkiye would "destroy the power balance in the Middle East" due to what he described as Türkiye's "aggressive aspirations." He emphasized that despite any personal friendship between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye is not a friendly state to the United States.

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I think everyone understands that, notwithstanding the personal friendship that President Trump has with Erdoğan, it doesn't make Turkey a friendly state to the United States.

Trump had previously stated he would consider lifting the ban during a joint press conference with Erdoğan at a NATO summit. The U.S. president banned the sale in 2019 after Türkiye purchased an air defense system from Russia. Turkish state media reported that Erdoğan believed the U.S. had committed to delivering five jets.

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Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal.

Netanyahu acknowledged that he and Trump have "occasional disagreements" but stressed they both act in their countries' best interests. He stated that while they often see eye-to-eye on major issues, differences can arise due to geographical distance and regional threats faced by Israel.

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I think everyone understands that, notwithstanding the personal friendship that President Trump has with Erdoğan, it doesn't make Turkey a friendly state to the United States.