Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the United States not to sell F-35 fighter jets or advanced fighter engines to Turkey, warning that such a move could disrupt the balance of power in the Middle East and jeopardize Israeli air superiority in the region. Netanyahu expressed his concerns during an interview on July 24 with Fox & Friends, ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Ankara for the NATO summit.
While acknowledging Turkey as “a great country,” Netanyahu criticized its leadership under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he described as openly hostile toward Israel. He pointed to Erdogan’s past statements calling for the destruction of Israel, his occupation of part of Cyprus, and his threats against Greece—all members of NATO. Netanyahu also highlighted Turkey’s support for Hamas and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood on Ankara’s policies, characterizing the regime as “infected” by the Islamist organization and antagonistic toward both Israel and the United States.
The Israeli premier argued that Israel's air superiority is a critical factor in maintaining regional stability, enabling it to counter threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and other hostile actors. He warned that supplying Turkey with advanced American military technology, particularly the stealth F-35 jets, would undermine this strategic edge. Netanyahu emphasized that the United States’ position in the Middle East ultimately rests on Israel's military capabilities and the regional power balance.
Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring the Russian S-400 missile defense system, a purchase Washington says compromises the aircraft’s stealth features. Erdogan is expected to press for renewed access and relief from U.S. sanctions during his meeting with Trump at the NATO summit. However, Netanyahu’s comments underscore Israeli opposition to reopening military cooperation with Turkey on such advanced weaponry.
Erdogan’s rhetoric since the October 7 attacks in Israel has fueled these tensions further. He has referred to Hamas as a legitimate liberation group, labeled Israel a terror state, and made incendiary remarks about entering Israel militarily. Netanyahu and others view these statements as more than routine political criticism, interpreting them as evidence of Erdogan’s hostility toward Israel’s existence.
At the same time, while Netanyahu emphasized the seriousness of these security concerns, he sought to downplay personal tensions with Trump. He described their relationship as strong and said they "see eye-to-eye on just about everything," dismissing suggestions of friction stemming from Trump’s recent remarks.
Critics of the F-35 sale say that strengthening Turkey’s military capability without corresponding changes in its policies would reward behavior seen as undermining NATO solidarity, threatening regional allies such as Greece and Cyprus, and emboldening groups hostile to both Israel and the West. They argue that true normalization of defense ties would require Turkey to resolve the S-400 issue, end support for Hamas, cease hostile rhetoric against Israel, and align more closely with NATO’s interests.
Proponents of restoring Turkey’s position in the F-35 program contend it could draw Ankara closer to the West. However, Netanyahu and others remain skeptical, asserting that Erdogan has consistently leveraged Western opportunities to expand his strategic flexibility while pursuing an independent and sometimes adversarial agenda in the region.
The debate over the F-35 sale reflects broader concerns about allied relations, regional security dynamics, and the balance between engagement and deterrence in the Middle East. As Trump and Erdogan meet, the decision will test U.S. policy commitments to both Israel’s security and its strategic partnership with Turkey.