Not a model ally to US: Netanyahu opposes Trump's F-35 sale to Turkey

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly opposed US President Donald Trump's proposal to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, warning the move would upset the Middle East's military balance and embolden Ankara.

In Short

• Netanyahu warns sale will upset Middle East power balance
• Trump lifts off sanctions on Turkey over S-400 missiles
• Turkey's Erdogan hopeful for positive outcome on jet purchase

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed US President Donald Trump's proposal to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, warning that the move would undermine the balance of power in the Middle East, even as Trump moved to lift sanctions on Ankara and signalled a reset in ties with the Nato ally.

Speaking in an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said he had personally urged Trump not to approve the sale of America's most advanced fighter aircraft to Turkey.

"The sale of F-35s doesn't make Turkey a friendly state to the United States," Netanyahu said, describing Turkey as "a regime that's infected with the Muslim Brotherhood, which hates the United States."

"He’s not exactly a model ally of the United States," Netanyahu said. "He threatens to destroy my country, the one and only Jewish state."

Calling Turkey "not a force for peace and stability," Netanyahu warned that supplying Ankara with F-35 jets would have serious regional consequences.

"This is not a force for peace and stability. When you give them that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake," he said.

Netanyahu also revealed that he had directly conveyed his concerns to Trump, saying that selling the aircraft to Turkey would "destroy the power balance in the Middle East."

His remarks came just hours after Trump announced during his visit to Turkey for the Nato summit that the United States would lift sanctions imposed on Ankara over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems and indicated he was open to selling F-35 fighter jets to the country.

"We're going to be taking the sanctions off," Trump told reporters before meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "It's time. We don't want to sanction friends."

Trump also dismissed concerns over Turkey's continued possession of the Russian S-400 system.

"I have no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey," he said. "I would say the relationship with Turkey right now is better probably than it's ever been."

The US president repeatedly praised Erdogan, saying he had "chemistry" with the Turkish leader and describing Turkey as an "extraordinary" ally. During Trump's first visit to Turkey in 11 years, Erdogan welcomed him with a lavish state ceremony, with Turkish soldiers on horseback escorting his motorcade to the presidential palace.

Trump also expressed support for Turkey's request to rejoin the F-35 program.

"Turkey has been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal," Trump said. "It's a great plane, it's the best, currently the best plane by far. And it's certainly something we will consider."

Erdogan said he hoped for a positive outcome on Turkey's request to purchase the fighter jets.

"We have discussed this before with the US and were promised five jets," Erdogan said. "I know that Mr Trump always keeps his promises."

Despite his opposition to the proposed F-35 sale, Netanyahu downplayed any broader differences with Trump, insisting the two leaders remained closely aligned.

"He’s the President of the United States. He does what is good for the United States," Netanyahu said. "I'm the Prime Minister of Israel, I do what is important for Israel, and most of the time these things are identical."

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