Netanyahu opposes F-35 sale to Turkiye
7/7/2026 8:40:21 PM
The US sale of F-35 stealth warplanes to Turkiye would “destroy” the balance of power in the Middle East, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkiye, I think, has aggressive aspirations,” Netanyahu told CNN in a televised interview, adding: “When you give them that power, you’re going to see aggression in its wake.”
His remarks came after Trump said earlier in the day that he was considering such a move despite booting Turkiye out of the F-35 programme in 2019 over Ankara’s purchase of a Russian air defence system.
Turkiye has long sought to be readmitted to the F-35 programme and for US sanctions that have soured ties and hampered Turkish defence projects to be lifted.
Netanyahu has previously opposed the sale of the warplanes to Turkiye, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is counting on his good relations with Trump to help secure the delivery of five jets, for which payment has already been made.
“It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkiye, I think, has aggressive aspirations,” Netanyahu told CNN in a televised interview, adding: “When you give them that power, you’re going to see aggression in its wake.”
His remarks came after Trump said earlier in the day that he was considering such a move despite booting Turkiye out of the F-35 programme in 2019 over Ankara’s purchase of a Russian air defence system.
Turkiye has long sought to be readmitted to the F-35 programme and for US sanctions that have soured ties and hampered Turkish defence projects to be lifted.
Netanyahu has previously opposed the sale of the warplanes to Turkiye, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is counting on his good relations with Trump to help secure the delivery of five jets, for which payment has already been made.