WASHINGTON D.C. - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has escalated tensions with Ankara, warning on Fox News that Turkey poses a growing threat to Israel and NATO, and urging the United States to block the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the NATO ally.
In an interview on the eve of President Donald Trump's visit to Ankara for a NATO summit, Netanyahu cautioned that providing advanced stealth fighters to Turkey would "upset the power balance in the Middle East," a balance he claimed is "ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority" . He framed the issue as a broader challenge to American interests, suggesting Turkey is "a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood" that "chants death to America" .
Netanyahu singled out President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, claiming Turkey is "governed by a man who calls openly for the annihilation of Israel" . He also accused Erdoğan of occupying "half of Cyprus," threatening Greece, and speaking openly about "conquering Jerusalem" .
However, the Israeli Prime Minister made a factual error in his remarks, incorrectly labeling Cyprus as a NATO member state. Cyprus is not part of the alliance, though it is a European Union member .
Netanyahu also cited recent statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who described Israel as a "burden that humanity can no longer bear," interpreting the remarks as a call for the Jewish state to be wiped out .
Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 following its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system . President Trump has signaled a willingness to revisit the issue, suggesting he may approve a path for Turkey to rejoin the program .
Netanyahu warned that such a move could shift regional dynamics, potentially diminishing Israel's "exclusive status as the US's closest strategic ally in the region" . Analysts view his two consecutive Fox News appearances as a calculated diplomatic campaign to pressure Washington before any deal is finalized .
