Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday he opposes the sale of U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey [1].
This opposition highlights potential friction between Israel and the U.S. administration over military exports to a NATO member that Israel views as an unreliable partner. The move could influence how the U.S. manages its strategic alliances in West Asia.
Speaking in a televised interview with CNN's Dana Bash on July 7, 2026, Netanyahu addressed the issue of military cooperation with Ankara [1]. He said President Donald Trump should not provide the advanced aircraft to the Turkish government [1].
"Turkey is not exactly a model ally," Netanyahu said [1].
Netanyahu said Turkey is not a friendly state to the United States [3]. He said the sale of F-35 jets would upset the power balance within West Asia [3].
Despite the disagreement over the fighter jets, Netanyahu downplayed any significant rift between himself and President Trump [2]. The Israeli leader sought to maintain a positive image of the bilateral relationship while simultaneously lobbying against the specific arms deal [2].
"I oppose the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey," Netanyahu said [3].
The F-35 program is a cornerstone of U.S. aerial superiority and is shared with a select group of allies. Israel is a primary operator of the aircraft, and any change in the regional distribution of these jets is viewed as a strategic matter by the Israeli security establishment [2].
“"Turkey is not exactly a model ally."”
Netanyahu's public opposition to the F-35 sale reflects Israel's broader strategy to prevent regional rivals or unstable allies from acquiring technology that could challenge Israeli air superiority. By framing Turkey as an unreliable partner to the U.S., Netanyahu is attempting to leverage the security concerns of the Trump administration to block a deal that would shift the military equilibrium in West Asia.
