Netanyahu Strongly Opposes F-35 Sale to Turkey, Calls Regime 'Corrupt'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized the Turkish government and warned against the potential approval by U.S. President Donald Trump of selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said he had raised the issue with Trump multiple times, emphasizing that despite Trump's personal ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey remains unfriendly to the U.S. "This is a regime tainted by the Muslim Brotherhood, which hates the U.S., harbors Hamas, and funds it," Netanyahu stated. He added that Turkey poses a significant threat to Israel and that the sale would disrupt the regional balance of power.

Netanyahu also commented on his relationship with Trump regarding Iran, noting that despite disagreements, they share a common vision on major issues. He cautioned that it is too early to predict the outcome of the Iran situation.

Earlier, Trump and Erdogan met in Ankara at the start of the NATO summit, focusing on the possibility of reinstating Turkey into the F-35 program despite Israel's strong opposition. Trump told reporters he had no concerns about selling the advanced jets to Turkey but stopped short of committing to the deal, saying, "We will definitely consider it. It’s a decision we will have to make. We have good relations. Many people, including those here, wonder why we shouldn’t do this deal. It’s by far the best plane."