Netanyahu Warns Trump Against Selling F-35 Fighter Jets to Turkey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly opposed the potential sale of advanced U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, directly warning President Donald Trump that such a move would disrupt the military balance of power in the Middle East.

Speaking in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Netanyahu cautioned that supplying these jets to Ankara would compromise regional stability and pose new security threats.

Launching a sharp critique against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that the current government in Ankara is influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood and harbors anti-U.S. sentiments. Netanyahu argued that Erdogan is not an ideal American ally, pointing out his repeated threats to destroy Israel. He stressed that transferring sophisticated military hardware to Turkey would fuel further aggression rather than foster peace, confirming that he had personally requested Trump to block the sale.

The warning comes as President Trump signaled a shift in policy during a recent NATO-related visit to Turkey, where he praised Ankara as an "outstanding" ally and indicated he might lift the F-35 sales ban imposed during his first term. Despite Trump's subsequent remark that Netanyahu "knows who the boss is," the Israeli premier dismissed claims of a diplomatic rift, stating that while both leaders prioritize their respective national interests, their strategic goals remain largely aligned.

During the interview, Netanyahu also addressed the recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, expressing skepticism about halting Tehran's nuclear ambitions through dialogue but acknowledging that Trump should be given a chance to test the diplomatic track. Additionally, responding to growing international concern over rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu downplayed the incidents as the actions of roughly 150 "unruly youths." This characterization contrasts sharply with reports from human rights organizations, which document a significant surge in settler attacks and accuse Israeli forces of inaction.