Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly urged the United States not to approve the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Turkey, warning that such a move would undermine Israel's qualitative military edge and alter the strategic balance of power in the Middle East.
In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Netanyahu argued that Turkey's current leadership should not be entrusted with advanced American military technology, following recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump indicating he may move forward with the long-discussed sale.
"A Regime Influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood"
Netanyahu described Turkey's government as one driven by the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, saying that such a regime should not receive fifth-generation stealth aircraft.
"A regime infected with the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood — an extremist movement that chants 'Death to America' — should not receive these aircraft," Netanyahu said during the interview.
Warning Over Regional Security
The Israeli prime minister argued that supplying Turkey with F-35 fighter jets would have consequences extending well beyond bilateral U.S.-Turkish relations.
According to Netanyahu, Israel's air superiority has long served as a cornerstone of regional stability and of the broader U.S. security architecture in the Middle East.
He warned that introducing F-35 aircraft into Turkey's arsenal could weaken that balance and reduce Israel's long-standing qualitative military edge, a principle that has traditionally guided U.S. defense policy toward Israel.
Sharp Criticism of Erdogan
Netanyahu also directed unusually blunt criticism at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
He accused Erdogan of openly calling for Israel's destruction, maintaining close ties with Hamas, and pursuing policies that have heightened tensions within NATO.
Netanyahu pointed to Turkey's continued military presence in northern Cyprus and its disputes with Greece, both longstanding sources of friction within the alliance.
He further alleged that Turkey provides political backing for Hamas and claimed Ankara did not assist the United States during its recent military confrontation with Iran.
By contrast, Netanyahu described Israel as "an exemplary ally" of the United States.
Trump Signals Openness to the Sale
Netanyahu's remarks came after President Trump suggested he could advance the proposed F-35 deal with Turkey.
Speaking recently at the White House, Trump referred to Erdogan as "my friend" and said he had been personally invited by the Turkish president to attend the upcoming NATO summit.
Trump praised Turkey's military capabilities and indicated he was considering steps that would "make Erdogan very happy," comments widely interpreted as signaling renewed momentum for the fighter jet sale.
Long-Running Dispute Over F-35 Program
Turkey was originally a partner in the multinational F-35 program but was removed by the United States after acquiring the Russian-made S-400 missile system air defense system, which Washington argued posed unacceptable security risks to the stealth fighter's sensitive technology.
Since then, Ankara has sought to normalize defense relations with Washington and revive discussions over access to advanced U.S. combat aircraft.
Any decision to provide F-35s to Turkey would represent a major shift in U.S. defense policy and would likely face scrutiny in Congress as well as strong opposition from Israel.
Broader Strategic Implications
The debate over a potential F-35 sale has become part of a wider discussion about the future of U.S. alliances in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
For Israel, preserving its qualitative military edge remains a central national security objective. For Washington, any decision regarding Turkey must balance alliance commitments within NATO, regional stability, and longstanding security guarantees to Israel.
Netanyahu's public appeal underscores the sensitivity of the issue and signals that Israel intends to actively lobby the U.S. administration and Congress against any transfer of fifth-generation fighter aircraft to Turkey.
Comments