Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a CNN interview that selling F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey would disrupt the regional balance of power, according to a report by Ynet. The statement continues his recent campaign against the deal, following President Trump's signals on the issue.
Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey in a CNN interview Tuesday evening, warning that the transfer would 'destroy the balance in the Middle East,' according to a report by Ynet. The remarks came less than an hour after President Trump stated he would not approve the sale, citing regional balance concerns, as The Zioneer reported at 18:17 Jerusalem earlier Tuesday.
The prime minister has been leading a weeks-long campaign against the deal. On Monday, July 6, at 14:35 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Netanyahu publicly hardened his opposition, calling Erdogan a leader who 'openly calls for the destruction of Israel.' In subsequent reports that same day, he warned that the sale would disrupt the regional balance, directly requested Trump to block the sale, and claimed Erdogan seeks to revive the Ottoman Empire, including Israel. The Zioneer also reported on Monday at 15:20 Jerusalem that Netanyahu gave a similar warning in a Fox News interview.
On Tuesday at 18:17 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that President Trump reversed his earlier stance, stating he would not approve the F-35 sale to Turkey, warning that placing stealth fighters in Ankara's hands would 'destroy the balance in the Middle East.' That reversal followed weeks of signals from the administration indicating openness to the deal, including a statement on June 25 that Trump would likely approve the sale, as The Zioneer reported.
It remains unclear whether the Trump administration's stated position is final, and whether Congress will seek to weigh in on the sale. The Zioneer will continue to monitor developments.
8 developments
- StrongNetanyahu tells Fox News: Erdogan threatens Israel, Greece, Cyprus, destabilizes region; should not get F-35
- StrongTrump says he would not sell F-35s to Turkey, warns of regional imbalance
- StrongSecurity officials press Netanyahu to urgently speak with Trump over F-35 sale to Turkey
- StrongAnalysis: Trump's renewed push for F-35 sale to Turkey threatens Israel's air supremacy in the Mediterranean
Source and signal
- Internal intake