Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued stern warnings against the US selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu claimed that such a sale would 'upset the balance of power in the Middle East' and that Turkey could engage in 'aggressive actions.'
Netanyahu said he had discussed the issue with US President Donald Trump multiple times, arguing that the personal friendship between Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did 'not make Turkey a friend of the US.' Claiming that Turkey has 'an extremist regime that smiles at America or its president when necessary,' Netanyahu repeated his warning that if the F-35s were delivered, there would be 'aggressive actions.'
These remarks by Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and war crimes, came at a time when positive signals regarding Turkey's F-35 purchase are increasing.
Trump gives green light to Erdogan in Ankara
US President Donald Trump, during his meeting with President Erdogan in Ankara, said they would 'take into consideration' the sale of F-35s to Turkey. Trump stated that Turkey is 'a more loyal partner' compared to others, adding, 'This is a great plane, by far the best right now, and this is definitely an option we will consider.'
Erdogan, for his part, said at the NATO summit that Trump had previously promised five planes and 'always keeps his word,' expressing confidence that a positive decision would be made.
A Turkish official speaking to Al Jazeera conveyed that Trump expressed his desire to supply F-35s to Erdogan and said, 'We are ready to provide security guarantees.'
Turkey seeks engine technology for KAAN
According to Al Jazeera's Ankara Bureau Chief Abdülazim Muhammed, Turkey is also closely interested in the engines of its domestically developed fighter jet KAAN, in addition to the F-35s. Turkey aims to obtain a production license for US-made F110 engines. Trump reportedly said that Turkey's access to these technologies is not a concern for the US and that the ally should be supported.
Netanyahu: There are 'situational disagreements' between Trump and me
In the CNN interview, Netanyahu also admitted that there are 'situational disagreements' between him and Trump on some issues. 'He is the president of the United States and does what is in his country's interest, and I am the prime minister of Israel and do what is in my country's interest,' Netanyahu said, but stressed that the interests of Israel and the US 'often overlap.'
Netanyahu stated, 'America has no greater ally in the world than Israel, and Tel Aviv has no greater ally than the US.'
Trump should be given a chance on Iran
Netanyahu, skeptical about the possibility of a nuclear deal with Iran, nevertheless said that 'President Trump should be given a chance.' Reiterating that they will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons whether there is a deal or not, the Israeli prime minister said he has seen no sign of a deal so far, but expressed hope that Trump would keep his promise to prevent Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Netanyahu added that any potential deal must be examined to see if it meets key objectives such as 'ending the nuclear program and removing enriched materials.'
