Prime Minister Netanyahu said he and President Trump see eye-to-eye on 99% of issues, describing the US as a close ally, according to his remarks circulated Monday. Netanyahu also warned against selling F-35 jets to Turkey, calling President Erdogan a leader who 'openly calls for the destruction of Israel' and poses a threat to the regional balance and Israeli security.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a dual message Monday afternoon addressing US-Israel relations and the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The remarks, circulated by Israeli media, come amid a series of public statements by President Trump on the matter and follow months of debate within Israeli security circles over Ankara's possible return to the F-35 program.
On the US relationship, Netanyahu stated that he and Trump share agreement on 99% of issues and stressed that Israel respects the United States as an ally. The comment follows context of prior exchanges — as The Zioneer recently reported, Trump had described Netanyahu as a 'good guy' who 'gets too excited' and acknowledged disagreements over Lebanon (June 17).
On Turkey, Netanyahu warned that Erdogan, whom he described as a leader controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, 'openly calls for the destruction of Israel,' has ambitions regarding Cyprus, threatens Greece, and seeks to 'invade Jerusalem.' Netanyahu argued that Turkey does not deserve F-35 jets, saying such a sale would threaten the regional balance and Israel's security. The remarks reflect sustained Israeli concern over the erosion of its qualitative military edge in the Mediterranean, as The Zioneer has covered in multiple reports (June 10, June 11, July 5).
What remains open: whether the Trump administration will proceed with the sale, and what diplomatic or security guarantees Israel may seek. Netanyahu's comments mark one of the most direct public warnings from an Israeli leader on the issue.
4 developments
- StrongNetanyahu tells Fox News: Erdogan threatens Israel, Greece, Cyprus, destabilizes region; should not get F-35
- DevelopingMark Levin urges Trump to halt F-35 transfers to Turkey
- DevelopingIsraeli minister warns Israel will do all it can to block Turkey from getting F-35s
- DevelopingFormer Israeli Air Force official urges government to block potential US F-35 sale to Turkey
Source and signal
- Internal intake