President Donald Trump is weighing a decision on selling U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a move strongly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has warned that the transfer of the advanced stealth aircraft to Turkey could disrupt regional peace and empower a potentially aggressive regime.
Netanyahu voiced his concerns on Tuesday, stating that Turkey's potential acquisition of the F-35s would "destroy the power balance in the Middle East." He cited Turkey's aspirations to restore the Ottoman Empire as a cause for concern, suggesting such ambitions are not conducive to peace and stability. "If you give this kind of radical regime... that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake," Netanyahu told CNN.
The discussion around the potential sale comes as President Trump attends a NATO summit in Turkey, where he has met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring the F-35 jets, a significant asset in the U.S. Air Force's arsenal.
The United States has previously placed restrictions on Turkey's possession of Russian S-400 air defense systems and American-made jets. A 2018 law bars Turkey from operating both systems due to concerns that Russian technology could compromise the F-35's stealth capabilities by tracking and collecting intelligence on the aircraft. Officials worried that combining the systems would pose a major risk to the F-35's technological advantage.
Despite these concerns and Netanyahu's objections, Trump indicated that he is considering the sale. "Well, it's a decision we're going to make," Trump told reporters on Tuesday, noting his positive relationship with Turkey. "We have a very good relationship."
Sitting alongside Erdogan, Trump suggested that many people might question why the U.S. would not proceed with the sale. He emphasized the strong relationship with Turkey, stating, "We have a better relationship with Turkey, and Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal. So, yeah, something certainly we would consider."
Netanyahu has actively campaigned through U.S. media to dissuade the Trump administration from approving the sale. He described Ankara as "a regime that’s infected with the Muslim Brotherhood, which hates the United States" in comments made on CNN. On "Fox & Friends," Netanyahu also stated that Erdogan has threatened "to destroy my country, the one and only Jewish state."