07.07.2026 08:40
Before the meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Erdoğan in Ankara, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for F-35 warplanes and jet engines not to be given to Turkey. Netanyahu's argument that Israel's air superiority must be maintained received support from Greece as well. Athens claimed that lifting F-35 restrictions on Turkey is not on the agenda at this stage.
Before the meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, a notable statement came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu argued that F-35 fighter jets and jet engines should not be given to Turkey, while similar statements came from Greece.
Before the critical meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, as part of the NATO Leaders Summit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made statements targeting Turkey.
Speaking to US-based Fox News, Netanyahu stated that he opposes the transfer of F-35 fighter jets and jet engines to Turkey, claiming this would alter the balance of power in the Middle East.
"ISRAEL'S AIR SUPREMACY MUST BE PRESERVED"
Referring to statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding Israel's operations in Gaza, Netanyahu argued that the US should not provide F-35 fighter jets and jet engines to Turkey.
Netanyahu said, "Israel's air superiority must be preserved."
ALSO SENT A MESSAGE TO IRAN
In his remarks, Netanyahu also touched on Iran, claiming that the majority of the country's population opposes the current administration.
Citing the funeral ceremony for the late former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei as an example, Netanyahu alleged that only a few million people attended the event.
Netanyahu, stating that slogans like "Death to Trump" were shouted in the streets, said, "They are not friends of America."
Reminding that regional countries sent representatives to the funeral, Netanyahu argued that the US's true ally in the region is Israel, which participated in attacks against Iran.
Expressing that he agrees with Trump on almost every issue, Netanyahu added that there is no clear timeline yet for his visit to the US.
STATEMENT ON TURKEY FROM GREECE AS WELL
Following Netanyahu's statements, notable assessments regarding Turkey's F-35 program also came from Greece.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, in a speech at the Parliament General Assembly, claimed that lifting the restrictions preventing Turkey's participation in the F-35 program is not on the agenda.
Stating that the current legal regulations in the US remain in effect, Gerapetritis said that Congress would need to make a new decision to lift these restrictions.
Gerapetritis said, "The restrictions stipulated by American law are still in place, and lifting them requires a new decision by Congress. At this stage, there is no question of removing the bans," arguing that Turkey's F-35 process is under the authority of the US Congress, not the executive branch.
"WE MUST PREVENT TURKEY FROM GETTING F-35"
Alexandros Kazamias, a member of parliament from the Freedom Sailing Party, also called on the government, saying that "everything should be done" to prevent Turkey from acquiring F-35 fighter jets.
Responding to these criticisms, Gerapetritis rejected claims that the government has been passive, stating, "Foreign policy is not conducted through press releases."