Prime Minister Netanyahu, in a series of interviews, reiterated his opposition to the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey, saying he agrees with President Trump on almost everything except that issue. The quote was reported by Yair Goldblatt on X.
Prime Minister Netanyahu continued his public campaign against the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey in a new round of interviews late Tuesday night, as reported by journalist Yair Goldblatt on X. Netanyahu said he agrees with President Trump 'on almost everything' but disagrees on the F-35 sale, warning that without U.S. leadership, 'the Nazis could have won, Stalinism could have won.' The remark echoes his earlier claim of '99% alignment' with Trump but sharpens the point of disagreement.
The campaign unfolded rapidly on Monday, July 6. At 14:35 Jerusalem, Netanyahu first attacked Erdogan over the deal (v1), then said he sees eye-to-eye with Trump on 99% of issues while warning against the sale (v2). He publicly hardened his stance (v3), argued the sale would disrupt the regional power balance (v4), and directly asked Trump to block it — a request reported by journalist Barak Ravid (v5, v6). That same day, Israel's diplomatic campaign intensified (v7), and Netanyahu claimed Erdogan seeks to revive the Ottoman Empire, including Israel (v8). A CNN interview was also published at 14:35 Jerusalem, in which Netanyahu said the sale would 'destroy the Middle East balance' (v9).
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the strategic implications, including analyses of technology leakage risks to Iran and Russia and the erosion of Israeli air superiority. President Trump has sent mixed signals: he initially signaled openness to the sale, then reversed course on Tuesday, July 7, saying it would 'destroy the balance of power.' The context includes a Trump statement at 18:17 Jerusalem on Tuesday that he would not sell the fighters.
The debate within the U.S. government continues, and it remains unclear whether the administration will ultimately approve the deal. Netanyahu's sustained pressure suggests he sees the issue as unresolved.
9 developments
- StrongSecurity officials press Netanyahu to urgently speak with Trump over F-35 sale to Turkey
- StrongTrump says he will likely approve F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- StrongNetanyahu tells Fox News: Erdogan threatens Israel, Greece, Cyprus, destabilizes region; should not get F-35
- StrongAnalysis: Trump's renewed push for F-35 sale to Turkey threatens Israel's air supremacy in the Mediterranean
Source and signal
- Internal intake