Israel’s Netanyahu Appeals to US Against F-35 Jet Sale to Türkiye

Trump vs Netanyahu – (Web Desk) –  The Turkey F-35 readmission Trump NATO summit talks have drawn a sharp warning from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Washington on Monday not to hand Turkey new F-35 jets or engines, saying the move would tilt the regional balance of power.

President Trump is heading to Ankara for the NATO summit, a trip many see as Turkey’s best chance yet to rejoin the F-35 program and lock in a deal for new jet engines.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu didn’t hold back. He said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has openly called for Israel’s destruction, and warned that rewarding him with advanced military hardware would be a mistake.

“I don’t think they should be given F-35s or the engines,” Netanyahu told the network, adding that Israeli air power helps keep the wider Middle East stable.

Turkey wants the F110 engines mainly for its homegrown KAAN stealth jet, part of its push to join the small group of nations building fifth-generation fighters alongside the US, China, and Russia.

The relationship soured back in 2017, when Turkey bought a Russian S-400 missile defense system. That purchase angered US officials so much that Turkey was pushed out of the F-35 program in 2019.

Despite tension with Trump over recent handling of the Iran conflict, Netanyahu insisted ties between the two leaders remain solid, describing their bond as steady and friendly.