Olga Deutsch of the Misgav Institute for National Security assessed Tuesday that the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should concern Israel, with the key question being what Trump will demand in return and how central the Iran issue will be. The assessment follows weeks of reports that the Trump administration is considering returning Turkey to the F-35 program.
Olga Deutsch, a researcher at the Misgav Institute for National Security, warned on Tuesday that the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should be a cause for concern in Israel. "The big question will be what Trump will demand in return, and how central the Iran issue will be," Deutsch said, according to a report.
The assessment comes amid a series of reports indicating the Trump administration is moving toward returning Turkey to the F-35 program. The Zioneer has reported extensively on the matter: a New York Times report on Tuesday morning (05:51 Jerusalem) said Trump is expected to signal readiness to Erdogan. Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed on June 25 that the president has ordered a review of Turkey's eligibility. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed the sale, warning Erdogan threatens regional stability.
The potential deal has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli security analysts, who warn it would erode Israel's air superiority in the Mediterranean and risk technology leakage to Russia and Iran. No final decision has been announced, and congressional approval remains uncertain.
3 developments
- StrongSraya Harush reports: Israeli concern over Erdogan receiving F-35s from Trump
- StrongTrump expected to visit Turkey, meet Erdogan, hints at 'big bag of gifts' including F-35 deal
- StrongAnalysis: Trump's renewed push for F-35 sale to Turkey threatens Israel's air supremacy in the Mediterranean
- StrongTrump-Erdogan meeting stokes Israeli concerns over Turkish regional influence
Source and signal
- Internal intake