Netanyahu Urges Trump to Block US Arms Sales to Turkey Ahead of Erdogan Meeting

Ahead of the upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a sensitive request to Trump. During a phone call on Friday, Netanyahu asked Trump to prevent the sale of American weapons systems that would enable Turkey to upgrade its air force. This request reflects Israel's growing concern over Erdogan's increasingly anti-Israel rhetoric and hostile statements from senior Turkish officials.

An American official noted that Trump listened to Netanyahu's appeal and might convey a message to Erdogan urging him to tone down his aggressive stance. The tension escalated after Erdogan last week described Zionism as a "genocidal ideology" and suggested it threatens Turkey's existence. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also joined the verbal assault, calling Israel a "burden humanity can no longer bear," labeling it a "problem for the entire world," and urging the international community to impose sanctions.

Against this backdrop, Trump is scheduled to travel to Turkey overnight to meet Erdogan and participate in the NATO summit in Ankara. Netanyahu's intervention highlights Israel's strategic concerns about Turkey's military enhancements and the deteriorating diplomatic climate between the two countries.