U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly moving to restore Turkey's access to the F-35 stealth fighter program, years after Ankara was removed over its Russian S-400 purchase. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the move could damage Israel's air superiority and tilt the regional balance, according to a report by Jewish Breaking News.
Shortly before 13:17 Tuesday, a report by Jewish Breaking News cited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that President Trump's move to restore Turkey's F-35 access could damage Israel's air superiority and tilt the regional balance. The warning follows a day of rapid developments: earlier Tuesday, The Zioneer reported (at 05:51) that the New York Times disclosed Trump's readiness to signal Erdogan; by 08:36, multiple outlets—including i24NEWS and N12's Amit Segal—reported that Trump flew to Turkey on a Qatari plane and is expected to formally back the sale during his visit. Netanyahu's own request to block the deal was reported at 07:37 Tuesday.
The thread has escalated from initial unconfirmed reports to multiple newsroom confirmations. At 08:36 Tuesday, The Zioneer published four versions in quick succession: the first (08:36) cited i24NEWS on Trump's trip; the second (also 08:36) reported that Trump would inform Erdogan of his intent to sell; the third (08:36, Segal/N12) said Trump is expected to back the sale; the fourth (08:36, Sraya Harush) described growing Israeli concern. Netanyahu's on-record warning, reported by Jewish Breaking News shortly before 13:17, now adds a named official Israeli response to what was previously attributed to anonymous sources.
As The Zioneer reported on June 25, Trump signaled a willingness to return Turkey to the program after ordering a legal compliance review; on the same day, an analysis warned the move threatens Israel's near-total air superiority in the Mediterranean. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program after purchasing the Russian S-400 system. The Trump administration has called Turkey a 'strong' NATO ally, while critics—including bipartisan U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials—warn of technology leakage to Russia and Iran.
It remains unclear whether the administration has secured the required congressional approval for the sale, or whether the reported trip has already resulted in a formal commitment to Ankara. Netanyahu's warning has not been independently confirmed by Israeli government spokespeople as of 13:17 Jerusalem.
6 developments
- DevelopingVance says US may sell F-35s to Turkey, needs legal review
- StrongTrump says he will likely approve F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- DevelopingCongressional critics and slim chances to block F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- DevelopingAnalysis: Erdogan's window for F-35s is now, deal appears increasingly realistic
Source and signal
- Internal intake