Netanyahu Turkey F-35: Israeli PM Says Ties With Trump Are "Fine," Warns Against Arming Ankara

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Netanyahu Urges Trump to Block F-35 Sale to Turkey

The Pakistan Times Islamabad Times

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to publicly downplay any friction with US President Donald Trump, even as he took a hard line against Turkey receiving advanced American fighter jets. In a Monday interview with Fox News, Netanyahu insisted his relationship with Trump remains solid, while urging Washington not to sell F-35 jets or fighter jet engines to Ankara. The Pakistan Times brings readers the full story behind these remarks and why they matter for the region.

Netanyahu Plays Down Talk of a Rift With Trump

Speaking to Fox News on Monday, Netanyahu pushed back against reports of tension between himself and Trump over the ceasefire arrangement with Iran and Israel's continuing strikes in Lebanon. He described his ties with the US president as "fine," saying the two men "see eye to eye on just about everything." Asked directly about disagreements, Netanyahu said the two leaders simply "have a way of ironing out" any differences between them, adding that when disputes come up, they discuss them "in open conversation."

Netanyahu also praised the broader US-Israel alliance in sweeping terms, telling Fox News that America has been "a tremendous force for good" and that without it, "there won't be any democracy in the world, and there won't be any freedom in the world." He confirmed that a planned visit to Washington to meet Trump has not yet been scheduled, though he said the meeting remains in the works.

The remarks come at a sensitive moment. Some members of Israel's own cabinet have criticized a recent US-Iran memorandum of understanding that calls for a broader regional ceasefire, including in Lebanon, and reports have suggested friction between Washington and Jerusalem over how quickly to wind down military operations following the war between Iran, the US, and Israel that began in February.

A Pointed Warning Over Turkey

Netanyahu's comments to Fox News were notably sharper when it came to Turkey. His remarks were timed just as Trump prepared to depart for Ankara to attend a NATO summit, where the question of restoring Turkey's access to the F-35 program is expected to come up. Last month, Trump signaled he was open to selling Turkey F110 fighter jet engines and readmitting the country to the F-35 program, telling reporters he intended to do something that would make Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan "very happy."

Turkey has been seeking the engines for its domestically developed KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet program, which Ankara launched after being removed from the F-35 program in 2019. That removal followed Turkey's decision to acquire Russia's S-400 missile defense system, a move Washington said posed a security risk to the F-35's sensitive technology.

Netanyahu argued strongly against reversing that decision, describing Turkey as "a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood" that "hates America and chants 'Death to America.'" He said providing Ankara with F-35 jets or engines "will upset the power balance in the Middle East," which he said is "ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority" and by America's military posture in the region. He further pointed to Turkey's criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza and recent sharp remarks from senior Turkish officials as additional reasons Ankara should not be trusted with advanced American weaponry.

Netanyahu also drew a contrast between Turkey and Israel's own role during the recent war with Iran, telling Fox News that Turkey "didn't lift a finger to help you in Iran," while Israel had fought "next to your great soldiers."

Why This Matters

The comments illustrate how Netanyahu is trying to manage two separate relationships at once: reassuring Washington and the Israeli public that the US-Israel alliance remains unshaken despite recent policy disagreements, while simultaneously working to block a major win for Turkey, a NATO member whose relationship with Israel has deteriorated sharply since the war in Gaza began in 2023. With Trump set to meet Turkish leadership this week, Netanyahu's public intervention is widely seen as an attempt to influence the outcome of that discussion before it happens.

The episode also reflects the wider reshaping of alliances and rivalries across the Middle East following the recent war between Iran, the US, and Israel — a conflict that has left lasting strain not only between Iran and the West, but also among US allies in the region who now find themselves competing for Washington's favor and its most advanced military hardware.

The Pakistan Times will continue to track developments around the NATO summit in Ankara and their wider implications for the Middle East. Stay connected with The Pakistan Times for continuing coverage.

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