Netanyahu Warns F35 Sale to Turkey Would Destabilize Middle East Power Balance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to CNN on July 7, 2026, expressing strong opposition to a potential U.S. sale of F35 fighter jets to Turkey. He warned that such a deal would "destroy the balance of power in the Middle East" and said he would not support it. Netanyahu emphasized that Turkey is not a friendly country to Israel, despite the improving ties between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He stated, "Trump's relationship with Erdogan is making Turkey friendly to the U.S., quite the opposite."

Netanyahu criticized Erdogan's regime for its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which he described as hostile to the U.S., and accused Turkey of supporting and funding Hamas, imprisoning journalists, threatening NATO ally Greece, and posing a threat to Israel. He suggested that Turkey's ambitions to revive the Ottoman Empire, which historically included Syria, parts of Jordan, all of present-day Israel, and Gulf states, make it a destabilizing force in the region. Netanyahu warned that empowering Erdogan's radical regime with advanced military technology like the F35 jets would likely lead to increased aggression.

Regarding his relationship with Trump, Netanyahu acknowledged occasional disagreements but highlighted broad agreement on most issues. He noted the natural differences between a large, distant country like the U.S. and a small, surrounded nation like Israel, but affirmed their strong partnership overall.