Prime Minister Netanyahu said Monday that Turkey should not receive F-35 fighter jets or their engines, arguing that doing so would disrupt the Middle Eastern power balance, which he said is guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and America's regional posture.
Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday sharpened his opposition to the reported U.S. F-35 sale to Turkey by specifically warning against the transfer of the aircraft's engines, arguing that any such deal would 'upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and America's posture.' The remarks, circulated Monday afternoon, represent a new emphasis on the engines component, which Israeli officials have flagged as a route for Turkey to acquire advanced F-110 engines even without the full airframe, thereby eroding Israel's qualitative edge.
The prime minister's statement came after a day of public escalation. At 14:35 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that Netanyahu had gone public against the reported sale, hardening his position from earlier closed-forum remarks, and separately warned that President Erdogan 'openly calls for the destruction of Israel.' By 15:20 Jerusalem, in a Fox News interview, Netanyahu reiterated that Erdogan threatens Israel, Greece, and Cyprus and destabilizes the region, and stated that Turkey should not receive F-35s.
Background reports cited by The Zioneer have warned that the Trump administration's renewed push for the sale is more dangerous than previous iterations, given Erdogan's escalating anti-Israel rhetoric and Turkey's naval doctrine. As The Zioneer reported on June 25, an analysis noted that the Israeli Air Force's near-total air superiority in the Mediterranean would be eroded if Ankara obtains the advanced fighter. Separately, on July 5, political commentator Sraya Harush said Israel will do all it can to block the sale, but argued that even if Turkey receives the jets, Israel's qualitative edge will remain intact due to unique systems.
It remains unclear whether President Trump will ultimately approve the sale, despite his signal on June 25 that he would likely do so. The precise timing of any decision and the scope of the transfer — whether limited to engines or including the full F-35 airframe — have not been specified by Washington.
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