Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on American television on July 7, 2026, to urge US President Donald Trump not to sell F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. This appeal adds to a growing list of tensions between the two leaders.

President Trump, attending a NATO summit in Türkiye, indicated he would consider reversing the 2019 US ban on selling F-35 jets to Türkiye. The ban was initially imposed after Türkiye purchased a Russian air defense system. Trump stated, "Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal," and noted, "Many people, including the people who are sitting here, think, 'Why wouldn't we do that?'"

Netanyahu warned that such a sale "would destroy the power balance in the Middle East because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations." He also mentioned having spoken directly with Trump several times about the issue and acknowledged that while they have "occasional disagreements," both leaders act in the interest of their countries.

The relationship between the two leaders has seen strains, including a reported heated phone exchange last month after Israeli bombings in Beirut, where Trump allegedly told Netanyahu, "You're f***ing crazy … I'm saving your ass."

Netanyahu emphasized that despite Trump's personal friendship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it does not make Turkey a friendly state to the United States.

Sources