Netanyahu tells CNN: F-35 sale to Turkey would destroy Middle East balance

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified his public opposition to the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey, telling CNN on Tuesday that such a move would "destroy the balance" in the Middle East. Netanyahu’s comments follow a series of private and public warnings from Jerusalem regarding the strategic implications of Ankara acquiring advanced American aviation technology.

Strategic Concerns and Regional Balance

Netanyahu emphasized that the regional power balance is currently guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and the United States' posture in the Middle East. He argued that providing Turkey with F-35s or their engines would directly upset this equilibrium. The Prime Minister specifically targeted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing him as a leader who openly calls for the destruction of Israel, threatens Greece and Cyprus, and seeks to expand Turkish influence over Jerusalem.

Diplomatic Friction with Washington

According to material reviewed by The Zioneer Intelligence Desk, Netanyahu recently requested that President Trump refrain from selling weapon systems to Turkey that would upgrade its air force. While Netanyahu noted that he and Trump see "eye to eye on 99% of issues," the F-35 deal has emerged as a significant point of friction. This public stance follows reports that Israeli security officials have been pressing the Prime Minister to intervene urgently, fearing the erosion of Israel's qualitative military edge (QME).

Outlook

The Prime Minister's decision to voice these concerns on major American networks like CNN and Fox News suggests a high-stakes effort to influence U.S. policy before any deal is finalized. For Israel, the primary concern remains the risk of advanced technology being controlled by a regional adversary that maintains ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and has adopted an increasingly hostile stance toward Israeli security operations.