Netanyahu urges U.S. not to sell F-35 jets to Turkey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implored the United States on Monday to withhold F-35 fighter jets and related components from Turkey, asserting that such a sale would destabilize the Middle East.

Netanyahu's plea comes as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to visit Ankara for a NATO summit, a visit that could be seen by Turkey as an opportunity to rejoin the F-35 program. The Israeli leader warned that supplying advanced military technology to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom Netanyahu accused of openly calling for Israel's destruction, would be a grave error. "I don't think they should be given F-35 fighter jets or engines for their fighter jets, because it would disrupt the balance of power in the Middle East," Netanyahu stated on "Fox & Friends."

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I don't think they should be given F-35 fighter jets or engines for their fighter jets, because it would disrupt the balance of power in the Middle East.

Analysts suggest Turkey's interest in acquiring F110 jet engines is to support its own indigenous "stealth" fighter jet project, KAAN. Ankara aims to join the exclusive club of nations producing fifth-generation combat aircraft, a group currently led by the U.S., China, and Russia. However, Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system in 2017 led to its removal from the F-35 program by Washington in 2019.

Netanyahu also reiterated his close alliance with Trump, despite recent disagreements over the war with Iran. "We are the best allies. My relationship with the president is good," the Israeli leader insisted. This comes after Trump publicly criticized Netanyahu in recent weeks over the war in Lebanon, which he suggested threatened peace talks with Iran. Trump had also previously condemned Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire.

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We are the best allies. My relationship with the president is good.